An Act To Improve Access to Dental Care through the Establishment of the Maine Board of Oral Health
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0540
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: SHAW
Amends: 3 MRSA §959, 5 MRSA §5301, 5 MRSA §5303, 5 MRSA §12004-A, 10 MRSA §8001-A, 22 MRSA §256-B, 32 MRSA §1071, 24 MRSA §2502, 32 MRSA §1072, 32 MRSA §1073, 32 MRSA §1076, 32 MRSA §1077, 32 MRSA §1078, 32 MRSA §1079, 32 MRSA §1079-A, 32 MRSA §1080, 32 MRSA §1095, 32 MRSA §1097, 32 MRSA §1098-E, 32 MRSA §1100-A, 32 MRSA §1100-B, 32 MRSA §9854

Legislative Document 
No. 540 
H.P. 364 
House of Representatives, February 26, 2015 
An Act To Improve Access to Dental Care through the 
Establishment of the Maine Board of Oral Health 
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed. 
ROBERT B. HUNT 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative SHAW of Standish. 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  3 MRSA §959, sub-§1, ¶C, as amended by PL 2013, c. 588, Pt. E, §1 and 
affected by §2, is further amended to read: 
C.  The joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business, 
research and economic development matters shall use the following list as a guideline 
for scheduling reviews: 
(1)  Maine Development Foundation in 2021; 
(5)  Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, in conjunction with the 
joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over insurance 
and financial services matters, in 2015; 
(19)  Department of Economic and Community Development in 2021; 
(23)  Maine State Housing Authority in 2015; 
(32)  Finance Authority of Maine in 2017; 
(36)  Board of Dental Examiners in 2019; 
(37)  Board of Osteopathic Licensure in 2019; 
(38)  Board of Licensure in Medicine in 2019; 
(41)  State Board of Nursing in 2019; 
(42)  State Board of Optometry in 2019; and 
(45)  State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers in 2019.; and 
(46)  Maine Board of Oral Health in 2021. 
Sec. 2.  5 MRSA §5301, sub-§2, ¶E, as amended by PL 2011, c. 286, Pt. O, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
E.  Convictions for which incarceration for less than one year may be imposed and 
that involve sexual misconduct by an applicant for massage therapy licensure or a 
licensed massage therapist or an applicant or licensee of the Board of Licensure in 
Medicine, the Board of Osteopathic Licensure, the Maine Board of Dental Examiners 
Oral Health, the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the State Board of Social 
Worker Licensure, the Board of Chiropractic Licensure, the State Board of 
Examiners in Physical Therapy, the State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors, the 
Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners, the Board of Counseling Professionals 
Licensure, the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, the Board of Speech, 
Audiology and Hearing, the Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners, the Nursing 
Home Administrators Licensing Board, the Board of Licensure of Podiatric 
Medicine, the Board of Complementary Health Care Providers, the Maine Board of 
Pharmacy, the Board of Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, the State 
Board of Nursing and the Emergency Medical Services' Board. 
Sec. 3.  5 MRSA §5303, sub-§2, as amended by PL 2007, c. 369, Pt. A, §2 and 
affected by Pt. C, §5, is further amended to read: 
2.  Ten-year limits.  For applicants to and licensees and registrants of the Board of 
Licensure in Medicine, the Board of Osteopathic Licensure, the Maine Board of Dental 
Examiners Oral Health, the State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the State Board 
of Social Worker Licensure, the State Board of Nursing, the Board of Chiropractic 
Licensure, the Board of Trustees of the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, the State Board 
of Examiners in Physical Therapy, the State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors, the 
Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners, the Board of Counseling Professionals 
Licensure, the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice, the Board on Speech-language 
Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dealing and Fitting, the Radiologic Technology 
Board of Examiners, the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Board, the Board of 
Licensure of Podiatric Medicine, the Board of Complementary Health Care Providers, the 
Maine Board of Pharmacy, and the Emergency Medical Services' Board and applicants 
for massage therapy licensure or licensed massage therapists, the following apply. 
A.  The procedures outlined in sections 5301 and 5302 for the consideration of prior 
criminal conviction as an element of fitness to practice a licensed profession, trade or 
occupation apply within 10 years of the applicant's or licensee's final discharge, if 
any, from the correctional system. 
B.  Beyond the 10-year period, ex-offender applicants or licensees with no additional 
convictions must be considered in the same manner as applicants or licensees 
possessing no prior criminal record for the purposes of licensing decisions. 
C.  There is no time limitation for consideration of a registrant's, an applicant's or 
licensee's conduct that gave rise to the criminal conviction if that conduct is otherwise 
a ground for disciplinary action. 
Sec. 4.  5 MRSA §12004-A, sub-§10, as amended by PL 1999, c. 687, Pt. B, §1, 
is repealed. 
Sec. 5.  5 MRSA §12004-A, sub-§28-A is enacted to read: 
28-A.   
Sec. 6.  10 MRSA §8001-A, sub-§3, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 450, §5, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 7.  10 MRSA §8001-A, sub-§6-A is enacted to read: 
6-A.  Maine Board of Oral Health.  Oral Health, Maine Board of; 
Sec. 8.  22 MRSA §256-B, sub-§1, ¶M, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 327, §2, is 
repealed. 
Sec. 9.  22 MRSA §256-B, sub-§1, ¶¶N and O, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 327, 
§2, are amended to read: 
Maine Board of Oral Health 
Legislative Per Diem 
secretary-treasurer, as 
determined by board 
MRSA §1071
N.  State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors; and 
O.  State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.; and 
Sec. 10.  22 MRSA §256-B, sub-§1, ¶P is enacted to read: 
P.  Maine Board of Oral Health. 
Sec. 11.  24 MRSA §2502, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1997, c. 107, §1, is further 
amended to read: 
1.  Board. "Board" means the Board of Licensure in Medicine, the Maine Board of 
Dental Examiners Oral Health or the Board of Osteopathic Licensure. 
Sec. 12.  32 MRSA §1071, first ¶, as amended by PL 2003, c. 669, §1, is repealed 
and the following enacted in its place: 
The Maine Board of Oral Health, established by Title 5, section 12004-A, subsection 
28-A and referred to in this chapter as "the board," consists of 9 members, appointed by 
the Governor as follows: 2 members of the dental profession, from a list of nominees 
provided by a statewide association of dentists; 2 dental hygienists, from a list of 
nominees provided by a statewide association of hygienists; 2 denturists, from a list of 
nominees provided by a statewide association of denturists; and 3 representatives of the 
public. 
Sec. 13.  32 MRSA §1071, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §56, is 
further amended to read: 
2.  Dentists.  The Governor may accept nominations from the Maine Dental 
Association a statewide association of dentists and from other organizations and 
individuals. 
Members of the dental profession must hold a valid dental license and must have been in 
the actual practice of dentistry in this State for at least 10 years immediately preceding 
the appointment. The term for a member who is a dentist is 5 years.  A dentist is not 
eligible to serve as a member of the board while employing a dental hygienist who is a 
member of the board. 
Sec. 14.  32 MRSA §1071, sub-§3-A, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 260, Pt. B, §2, is 
amended to read: 
3-A.  Denturist.  The Governor may accept nominations from a statewide association 
of denturists and from other organizations and individuals.  The denturist denturists must 
be qualified pursuant to subchapter VI 6, must be a legal resident residents of the State 
and for appointments made after January 1, 2006, the denturist must have practiced in the 
State for at least 6 years immediately preceding appointment.  The denturist member 
members of the board is a full-voting member are full voting members of the board.  The 
term of the denturist is 5 years.  A denturist is not eligible to serve as a member of the 
board while employed by a dentist who is a member of the board. 
Sec. 15.  32 MRSA §1071, sub-§4, as amended by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §56, is 
further amended to read: 
4.  Public member.  The public member is members are appointed to a 5-year term 
terms. 
Sec. 16.  32 MRSA §1072, first ¶, as repealed and replaced by PL 1993, c. 600, 
Pt. A, §57, is amended to read: 
At its annual meeting, the board shall elect from among its members a president, a 
vice-president and a secretary-treasurer.  Five members constitute a quorum.  The board 
shall have a common seal.  At a time and place to be fixed by the board, the board shall 
hold at least one regular meeting each year and special meetings as necessary.  The board, 
through its subcommittees, may recognize nationally or regionally administered 
examinations with respect to each of the 3 professions represented on the board given at 
least annually for applicants to practice dentistry in the State.  The board may make rules, 
not contrary to law, necessary for the performance of its duties.  On or before August 1st, 
the board shall annually make a report of its proceedings to the Commissioner of 
Professional and Financial Regulation.  The secretary-treasurer of the board shall keep 
records of all proceedings of the board and be the custodian of these records.  Records 
that constitute and are recognized as the official records of the board must be open for 
public inspection at reasonable times. 
Sec. 17.  32 MRSA §1073, sub-§2, as amended by PL 1997, c. 107, §4, is further 
amended to read: 
2.  Rules.  Adopt Through its subcommittees, adopt rules in accordance with the 
Maine Administrative Procedure Act that are necessary for the implementation of this 
chapter.  The rules may include, but need not be limited to, requirements for licensure, 
interviews for licensing and renewal, continuing education, inactive licensure status, use 
of general anesthesia and fees for providing a list of addresses of licensed professionals 
upon request; 
Sec. 18.  32 MRSA §1073, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1997, c. 107, §5, is further 
amended to read: 
3.  False advertising.  Establish Through its subcommittees, adopt rules relating to 
false, deceptive or misleading advertising, except that no rules may not be inconsistent 
with any rule promulgated adopted pursuant to Title 5, section 207, subsection 2; and 
Sec. 19.  32 MRSA §1073, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 107, §6, is amended 
to read: 
4.  Protocols for professional review committee.  Establish Through its 
subcommittees, establish protocols for the operation of a professional review committee 
as defined in Title 24, section 2502, subsection 4-A.  The protocols must include the 
committee reporting information the board considers and subcommittees consider 
appropriate regarding reports received, contracts or investigations made and the 
disposition of each report, provided that as long as the committee is not required to 
disclose any personally identifiable information.  The protocols may not prohibit an 
impaired dentist dental professional from seeking alternative forms of treatment. 
Sec. 20.  32 MRSA §1076, as amended by PL 1993, c. 659, Pt. B, §5, is further 
amended to read: 
§1076.  Budget 
The board shall submit to the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation 
its budgetary requirements in the same manner as is provided in Title 5, section 1665, and 
the commissioner shall in turn transmit these requirements to the Bureau of the Budget 
without any revision, alteration or change, unless alterations are mutually agreed upon by 
the department and the board or the board's designee.  The budget submitted by the board 
to the commissioner must be sufficient to enable the board to comply with this 
subchapter.  The Subcommittee on Denturists established in section 1078 shall submit its 
budgetary requirements to the board, which must be fully funded from revenue generated 
from denturist licensing fees.  The board shall compensate the subcommittee for any 
necessary expenditures incurred by the subcommittee in performing its duties under this 
chapter. 
Sec. 21.  32 MRSA §1077, as amended by PL 2013, c. 105, §4, is further amended 
to read: 
§1077.  Disciplinary actions 
1.  Disciplinary proceedings and sanctions.  Regarding noncompliance with or 
violation of this chapter or of rules adopted by the board, the board, through the relevant 
subcommittee, shall investigate a complaint on its own motion or upon receipt of a 
written complaint filed with the board and subcommittee. 
The board subcommittee shall notify the licensee of the content of a complaint filed 
against the licensee as soon as possible, but no later than 60 days from receipt of this 
information. The licensee shall respond within 30 days.  If the licensee's response to the 
complaint satisfies the board subcommittee that the complaint does not merit further 
investigation or action, the matter may be dismissed, with notice of the dismissal to the 
complainant, if any. 
If, in the opinion of the board subcommittee, the factual basis of the complaint is or may 
be true, and the complaint is of sufficient gravity to warrant further action, the board 
subcommittee may request an informal conference with the licensee. The board 
subcommittee shall provide the licensee with adequate notice of the conference and of the 
issues to be discussed. The conference must be conducted in executive session of the 
board subcommitee, pursuant to Title 1, section 405, unless otherwise requested by the 
licensee. Statements made at the conference may not be introduced at a subsequent 
formal hearing unless all parties consent. 
If the board subcommittee finds that the factual basis of the complaint is true and is of 
sufficient gravity to warrant further action, it may take any of the following actions it 
considers appropriate: 
A.  With the consent of the licensee, enter into a consent agreement that takes any 
action authorized by Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5 or Title 10, section 8003-D.  
A consent agreement may be used to terminate a complaint investigation, if entered 
into by the board and subcommittee, the licensee and the Attorney General's office; 
B.  In consideration for acceptance of a voluntary surrender of the license, if a 
consent agreement is signed by the board through the subcommittee, the licensee and 
the Attorney General's office, negotiate stipulations, including terms and conditions 
for reinstatement, that ensure protection of the public health and safety and that serve 
to rehabilitate or educate the licensee; 
C.  If the board subcommittee concludes that denial of initial licensure or 
modification or nonrenewal of an existing license is in order, the board and 
subcommittee may refer the complaint to a dental adjudicatory panel, convened 
pursuant to section 1080, for the purpose of holding an adjudicatory hearing in 
accordance with the provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 4; or 
D.  If the board subcommittee concludes that suspension or revocation of the license 
is in order, the board may file a complaint in the District Court in accordance with 
Title 4, chapter 5. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a dental adjudicatory panel convened 
pursuant to section 1080 has the sole authority to hold an adjudicatory hearing 
conforming to the requirements of Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4 and take any action 
authorized by Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5 or Title 10, section 8003-D following 
an adjudicatory hearing. 
Notwithstanding Title 10, section 8003, subsection 5, any nonconsensual revocation of a 
license by a dental adjudicatory panel pursuant to Title 10, section 8003 may be imposed 
only after a hearing conforming to the requirements of Title 5, section 375, subchapter 4 
and is subject to judicial review exclusively in the Superior Court in accordance with 
Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 7.  The board subcommittee retains the authority to take 
any other action pursuant to this section and Title 10, section 8003 regarding the 
disposition of any complaint that does not involve an adjudicatory hearing. 
2.  Grounds for discipline.  The board, through the relevant subcommittee, may 
suspend or revoke a license pursuant to Title 5, section 10004.  The following are 
grounds for an action to refuse to issue, modify, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew the 
license of a person licensed under this chapter: 
A.    The practice of fraud or deceit in obtaining a license under this chapter or in 
connection with service rendered within the scope of the license issued; 
B.   Misuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances that has resulted or may result in the 
licensee performing services in a manner that endangers the health or safety of 
patients; 
C.    A professional diagnosis of a mental or physical condition that has resulted or 
may result in the licensee performing services in a manner that endangers the health 
or safety of patients; 
D.    Aiding or abetting the practice of a dental profession by an individual who is not 
licensed under this chapter and who claims to be legally licensed; 
E.    Incompetence in the practice for which the licensee is licensed.  A licensee is 
considered incompetent in the practice if the licensee has: 
(1)  Engaged in conduct that evidences a lack of ability or fitness to perform the 
duties owed by the licensee to a client or patient or the general public; or 
(2)  Engaged in conduct that evidences a lack of knowledge or inability to apply 
principles or skills to carry out the practice for which the licensee is licensed; 
F.    Unprofessional conduct.  A licensee is considered to have engaged in 
unprofessional conduct if the licensee violates a standard of professional behavior 
that has been established in the practice for which the licensee is licensed; 
G.    Subject to the limitations of Title 5, chapter 341, conviction of a crime that 
involves dishonesty or false statement or that relates directly to the practice for which 
the licensee is licensed, or conviction of a crime for which incarceration for one year 
or more may be imposed; 
H.    A violation of this chapter or a rule adopted by the board and the subcommittee; 
or 
I.    Engaging in false, misleading or deceptive advertising. 
Sec. 22.  32 MRSA §1078, as corrected by RR 2007, c. 2, §19, is amended to read: 
§1078.  Subcommittee on Denturists 
The Subcommittee on Denturists, referred to in this section as "the subcommittee," is 
established as follows. 
1.  Membership.  The subcommittee consists of 5 4 members as follows: 
A.  The denturist 2 denturists who is a member are members of the board; 
B.  Two denturists, appointed by the Governor, who are qualified pursuant to 
subchapter 6, are legal residents of the State and, for appointments made after 
January 1, 2006, have practiced in the State for at least 6 years immediately 
preceding appointment; and 
C.  Two dentists One dentist who are members is a member of the board, appointed 
by the president of the board.; and 
D.  A public representative who is a member of the board. 
The subcommittee shall annually elect a chair and a secretary. 
2.  Terms.  Each of the 3 The 4 members of the subcommittee who also are members 
of the board shall serve on the subcommittee for the duration of that member's term their 
terms on the board.  The term of a member of the subcommittee who is not a member of 
the board is 5 years. 
3.  Duties.  The subcommittee shall: 
A.  Perform an initial review of all complaints initiated pursuant to section 1077 
involving denturists.  Upon completion of its review of a complaint, the secretary of 
the subcommittee shall report to the board the subcommittee's recommended 
disposition of the complaint in accordance with those dispositions authorized by 
section 1077.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1077, the board shall adopt 
the subcommittee's recommended disposition of a complaint unless no fewer more 
than 2/3 of the board members who are present and voting vote to reject that 
recommended disposition; and the board makes a specific finding that a 
recommendation: 
(1)  Is beyond the jurisdiction of the subcommittee; 
(2)  Places an undue financial burden upon the board; or 
(3)  Is not supported by the record; and 
B.  Perform an initial review of all applications for licensure as a denturist pursuant to 
section 1100-D and all submissions relating to continuing education of denturists 
pursuant to section 1100-E-1.  Upon completion of its review of an application or 
submission, the secretary of the subcommittee shall report to the board the 
subcommittee’s recommended disposition of the application or submission, including 
issuance, renewal, denial or nonrenewal of a denturist license.  Notwithstanding the 
provisions of section 1100-E, the board shall adopt the subcommittee’s recommended 
disposition of an application or submission unless no fewer more than 2/3 of the 
board members who are present and voting vote to reject that recommended 
disposition. and the board makes a specific finding that a recommendation: 
(1)  Is beyond the jurisdiction of the subcommittee; 
(2)  Places an undue financial burden upon the board; or 
(3)  Is not supported by the record. 
4.  Compensation.  The members of the subcommittee are entitled to compensation 
according to the provisions of Title 5, chapter 379.  Expenses of the subcommittee 
members must be certified by the secretary of the board. 
5.  Rulemaking; proposals originate with subcommittee.  Beginning September 1, 
2014, any rule involving denturist licensure, including interviews for licensing and 
renewal, continuing education, discipline and inactive licensure status, may not be 
adopted by the board pursuant to section 1073, subsection 2 or section 1100-C unless it 
originates from a recommendation by the subcommittee to the board.  The secretary of 
the subcommittee shall report to the board the proposed rule, and the board shall take 
action on it at the first meeting of the board following the subcommittee's report to the 
board.  The board shall either vote to proceed with the rule-making process in accordance 
with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act using the subcommittee's proposed rule or, 
by a vote of more than 2/3 of the board members present and voting, to submit a revision 
of the proposed rule to the subcommittee for its consideration.  The subcommittee shall 
either accept or reject the board's revision to the rule, and the secretary shall report the 
subcommittee's final decision to the board.  The board shall vote to accept the final 
recommendation of the subcommittee and proceed with the rule-making process in 
accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act using the subcommittee's final 
recommendation for the proposed rule or to reject the recommendation proposed by the 
subcommittee.  A vote to reject the recommendation proposed by the subcommittee 
requires a vote of more than 2/3 of the board members present and voting, as well as a 
specific finding that the final recommendation of the subcommittee: 
A.  Is beyond the jurisdiction of the subcommittee; 
B.  Places an undue financial burden upon the board; or 
C.  Is not supported by the record. 
Once a proposal for rulemaking has been submitted by the subcommittee and accepted by 
the board, nothing in this section may be construed to restrict the board from conducting 
its duties for rulemaking in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. 
6.  Meetings.  The subcommittee shall hold at least 2 meetings each year. 
Sec. 23.  32 MRSA §1079, as amended by PL 2007, c. 620, Pt. A, §2, is further 
amended to read: 
§1079.  Subcommittee on Dental Hygienists 
The Subcommittee on Dental Hygienists, referred to in this section as "the 
subcommittee," is established. 
1.  Membership.  The subcommittee consists of 5 4 members: 
A.  A dental hygienist who is a member of the board; 
B.    Two Three dental hygienists, one of whom must be a licensed dental hygienist, 
one of whom must be an independent practice dental hygienist and one of whom 
must be a dental hygienist with public health supervision status, as defined by board 
rule, appointed by the Governor from a list of nominees provided by a statewide 
association of dental hygienists, who are qualified pursuant to subchapter 6 4, are 
legal residents of the State and have practiced in the State for at least 6 years 
immediately preceding appointment.  One of the dental hygienists must be a member 
of the board; and 
C.  Two dentists who are members of the board, appointed by the president of the 
board. 
D.  One public member, appointed by the president of the board. 
The subcommittee shall annually elect a chair and a secretary. 
2.  Terms.  Each of the 3 members The member of the subcommittee who also are 
members is a member of the board shall serve serves on the subcommittee for the 
duration of that the member's term on the board.  The term of a member of the 
subcommittee who is not a member of the board is 5 years.  
3.  Duties.  The subcommittee shall: 
A.  Perform Shall perform an initial review of all complaints initiated pursuant to 
section 1077 involving dental hygienists, independent practice dental hygienists, 
dental hygienists with public health supervision status, as defined by board rule, and 
other dental hygiene-related professions.  Upon completion of its review of a 
complaint, the secretary of the subcommittee shall report to the board the 
subcommittee's recommended disposition of the complaint in accordance with those 
dispositions authorized by section 1077.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 
1077, the The board shall adopt the subcommittee's recommended disposition of a 
complaint unless no fewer than 2/3 of the board members who are present and voting 
vote to reject that recommended disposition; and makes a specific finding that the 
recommendation: 
(1)  Is beyond the jurisdiction of the subcommittee; 
(2)  Places an undue financial burden upon the board; or 
(3)  Is not supported by the record. 
The board shall provide funds for the necessary expenditures incurred by the 
subcommittee and the board in implementing and executing recommendations; 
B.  Perform Shall perform an initial review of all applications for licensure as a dental 
hygienist pursuant to section 1097, all submissions relating to continuing education 
of dental hygienists pursuant to sections 1098-B and 1099 and, all submissions 
relating to public health supervision status of dental hygienists as defined by board 
rule and all submissions relating to independent practice dental hygienists and other 
dental hygiene-related professions. Upon completion of its review of an application 
or submission, the secretary of the subcommittee shall report to the board the 
subcommittee's recommended disposition of the application or submission, including 
issuance, renewal, denial or nonrenewal of a dental hygienist license. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 1098, the board shall adopt the 
subcommittee's recommended disposition of an application or submission unless no 
fewer than 2/3 of the board members who are present and voting vote to reject that 
recommended disposition. the board makes a specific finding that a recommendation: 
(1)  Is beyond the jurisdiction of the subcommittee; 
(2)  Places an undue financial burden upon the board; or 
(3)  Is not supported by the record. 
The board shall provide funds for the necessary expenditures incurred by the 
subcommittee and the board in implementing and executing recommendations; 
C.  Has rule-making authority with respect to licensees under its jurisdiction. The 
subcommittee shall report its recommendations for rules to the board.  The board 
shall ratify a recommendation of the subcommittee at the first meeting of the board 
following the subcommittee's report to the board unless the board makes a specific 
finding that the recommendation: 
(1)  Is beyond the jurisdiction of the subcommittee; 
(2)  Places an undue financial burden upon the board; or 
(3)  Is not supported by the record. 
The board shall provide funds for the necessary expenditures incurred by the 
subcommittee and the board in implementing and executing recommendations; 
D.  Shall submit to the board a yearly budget, ensuring that operations of the 
subcommittee are supported entirely by licensees of the subcommittee; and 
E.  Shall hold at least 2 annual meetings and other meetings as necessary. 
4.  Compensation.  The members of the subcommittee are entitled to compensation 
according to the provisions of Title 5, chapter 379.  Expenses of the subcommittee 
members must be certified by the secretary of the board. 
Sec. 24.  32 MRSA §1079-A is enacted to read: 
§1079-A.  Subcommittee on Dentists 
The Subcommittee on Dentists, referred to in this section as "the subcommittee," is 
established. 
1.  Membership.  The subcommittee consists of 3 members as follows: 
A.  Two dentists, appointed by the Governor from a list of nominees provided by a 
statewide association of dentists, who are qualified pursuant to subchapter 3, who are 
legal residents of the State and who have practiced in the State for at least 10 years 
immediately preceding appointment. One of the dentists must be a member of the 
board; and 
B.  One public member, appointed by the president of the board. 
The subcommittee shall annually elect a chair and a secretary. 
2.  Terms.  The member of the subcommittee who is a member of the board serves 
on the subcommittee for the duration of the member's term on the board.  The term of a 
member of the subcommittee who is not a member of the board is 5 years. 
3.  Duties.  The subcommittee: 
A.  Shall perform an initial review of all complaints initiated pursuant to section 1077 
involving dentists. Upon completion of its review of a complaint, the secretary of the 
subcommittee shall report to the board the subcommittee's recommended disposition 
of the complaint in accordance with those dispositions authorized by section 1077.  
The board shall adopt the subcommittee's recommended disposition of a complaint 
unless the board makes a specific finding that the recommendation: 
(1)  Is beyond the jurisdiction of the subcommittee; 
(2)  Places an undue financial burden upon the board; or 
(3)  Is not supported by the record. 
The board shall provide funds for the necessary expenditures incurred by the 
subcommittee and the board in implementing and executing recommendations; 
B.  Shall perform an initial review of all applications for licensure as a dentist 
pursuant to section 1083 and all submissions relating to continuing education of 
dentists pursuant to section 1084-A. Upon completion of its review of an application 
or submission, the secretary of the subcommittee shall report to the board the 
subcommittee's recommended disposition of the application or submission, including 
issuance, renewal, denial or nonrenewal of a dentist license.  Notwithstanding the 
provisions of section 1084, the board shall adopt the subcommittee's recommended 
disposition of an application or submission unless the board makes a specific finding 
that the recommendation: 
(1)  Is beyond the jurisdiction of the subcommittee; 
(2)  Places an undue financial burden upon the board; or 
(3)  Is not supported by the record. 
The board shall provide funds for the necessary expenditures incurred by the 
subcommittee and the board in implementing and executing recommendations; 
C.  Has rule-making authority with respect to licensees under its jurisdiction. The 
subcommittee shall report its recommendations for rules to the board.  The board 
shall ratify a recommendation of the subcommittee at the first meeting of the board 
following the subcommittee's report to the board unless the board makes a specific 
finding that the recommendation: 
(1)  Is beyond the jurisdiction of the subcommittee; 
(2)  Places an undue financial burden upon the board; or 
(3)  Is not supported by the record. 
The board shall provide funds for the necessary expenditures incurred by the 
subcommittee and the board in implementing and executing recommendations; 
D.  Shall submit to the board a yearly budget, ensuring that operations of the 
subcommittee are supported entirely by licensees of the subcommittee; and 
E.  Shall hold at least 2 annual meetings and other meetings as necessary. 
4.  Compensation.  The members of the subcommittee are entitled to compensation 
according to the provisions of Title 5, chapter 379. Expenses of the subcommittee 
members must be certified by the secretary of the board. 
Sec. 25.  32 MRSA §1080, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2011, c. 581, §2, is amended 
to read: 
2.  Establishment of a pool of panel members.  The board shall establish a pool of 
potential panel members.  The board may not select a person for the pool who has been 
found in violation of the dental practices laws or rules within the preceding 10 years.  
After selection by the board, each member of the pool is subject to review and 
appointment by the Governor.  The pool must be composed of at least 5 dentists, 5 
denturists and 5 dental hygienists licensed under this chapter and 5 public members, but if 
the board finds that it is beneficial to the administration of the pool, the pool may be 
composed of no fewer than 3 from each category.  A pool member may not be a member 
of the board. 
Sec. 26.  32 MRSA §1095, as amended by PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §79, is further 
amended to read: 
§1095.  Definition 
The dental hygienist who practices under the supervision of a dentist of record may 
perform duties as defined and set forth in the rules of the Maine Board of Dental 
Examiners Oral Health, except that nothing in this subchapter may be construed to affect 
the practice of medicine or dentistry or to prevent students of a dental college, university 
or school of dental hygiene from practicing dental hygiene under the supervision of their 
instructors. 
Sec. 27.  32 MRSA §1097, as amended by PL 2003, c. 669, §7, is further amended 
to read: 
§1097.  Application; fee 
An eligible person desiring to practice dental hygiene must make written application 
to the Maine Board of Dental Examiners Oral Health to take the examination.  The 
application must be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the board not to exceed 
$175.  Applicants for licensure must pay a fee set by the board for the examination.  The 
board may recognize a nationally or regionally administered examination for applicants 
to practice dental hygiene in the State. 
Sec. 28.  32 MRSA §1098-E, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 198, §1, is amended to 
read: 
§1098-E.  Temporary filling procedures 
A dental hygienist with public health supervision status, as defined by rules adopted 
by the Maine Board of Dental Examiners Oral Health, may perform temporary filling 
procedures without a dentist present under protocols developed by the Maine Board of 
Dental Examiners Oral Health.  Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine 
technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
Sec. 29.  32 MRSA §1100-A, as amended by PL 2007, c. 620, Pt. C, §10, is 
further amended to read: 
§1100-A.  Definition 
Duties of dental auxiliaries other than dental hygienists and expanded function dental 
assistants must be defined and governed by the rules of the Maine Board of Dental 
Examiners Oral Health, except that duties of independent practice dental hygienists set 
forth in section 1094-Q, subsection 1 may not be restricted or expanded by the board.  
Dental auxiliaries include, but are not limited to, dental hygienists, independent practice 
dental hygienists, dental assistants, expanded function dental assistants, dental laboratory 
technicians and denturists. 
Sec. 30.  32 MRSA §1100-B, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1977, c. 484, §2, is 
amended to read: 
1.  Board. "Board" means the Maine Board of Dental Examiners Oral Health. 
Sec. 31.  32 MRSA §9854, sub-§3, ¶B, as enacted by PL 1983, c. 524, is 
amended to read: 
B.  A dental assistant holding a valid license or certificate issued by the Maine State 
Board of Dental Examiners Oral Health as a dental radiographer; 
Sec. 32.  Maine Revised Statutes headnote amended; revision clause.  In 
the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, chapter 16, subchapter 2, in the subchapter 
headnote, the words "board of dental examiners" are amended to read "maine board of 
oral health" and the Revisor of Statutes shall implement this revision when updating, 
publishing or republishing the statutes. 
Sec. 33.  Transition provision.  Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, 
Title 32, section 1071, members of the Board of Dental Examiners serving immediately 
prior to the effective date of this Act continue to serve on the Maine Board of Oral Health 
for the remainder of their terms. When the term of a member expires, that member's 
successor must be appointed in accordance with this Act.  When the term of a member 
who is a dentist expires, the first vacancy to occur must be filled by a denturist, and the 
2nd and 3rd vacancies must be filled by members of the public. 
SUMMARY 
This bill amends the laws governing the Board of Dental Examiners. 
1.  It renames the board the Maine Board of Oral Health, and it reassigns the 
membership of the board to give equitable representation to the regulated dental 
professions and adds additional public members. As changed, the board has 9 members: 2 
dentists, 2 dental hygienists, 2 denturists and 3 public members. 
2.  It changes the duties, functions and responsibilities of the board.  The board's 
major roles are to perform administrative duties as a coordinating body for the board's 
subcommittees and to advise the subcommittees and ratify and carry out the 
recommendations of the subcommittees including with respect to rules recommended by 
the subcommittees. 
3.  It amends the laws governing the board's subcommittees on denturists and dental 
hygienists and establishes a new subcommittee on dentists. It defines the membership for 
each subcommittee and its duties, functions and responsibilities.