2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 59. Professions and Occupations › §59-328.23a. Special volunteer licenses.

A. There is established a special volunteer license for dentists and a special volunteer license for dental hygienists who are retired from active practice or out-of-state licensees in active practice who are in the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps or assisting with emergency management, emergency operations or hazard mitigation in response to any emergency, man-made disaster or natural disaster, or participating in public health initiatives, disaster drills and community service events that are endorsed by a city or county health department or the State Department of Health and wish to donate their expertise for the dental care and treatment of indigent and needy persons of the state. A special volunteer license may also be issued for any live patient training approved by the Board. The special volunteer license shall be:
1. Issued by the Board of Dentistry to eligible persons;
2. Issued without the payment of an application fee, license fee or renewal fee;
3. Issued or renewed without any continuing education requirements for a period less than one (1) calendar year; and
4. Issued for one (1) calendar year or part thereof.
B. A dentist or dental hygienist must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a special volunteer license:
1. Completion of a special volunteer dental or dental hygiene license application including documentation of the dentist's dental or dental hygiene school graduation and practice history;
2. Documentation that the dentist or dental hygienist has been previously issued a full and unrestricted license to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in this state or in another state of the United States and that he or she has never been the subject of any reportable medical or dental disciplinary action in any jurisdiction. If the dentist or dental hygienist is licensed in more than one state and any license of the licensee is suspended, revoked, or subject to any agency order limiting or restricting practice privileges, or has been voluntarily terminated under threat of sanction, the dentist or dental hygienist shall be ineligible to receive a special volunteer license;
3. Acknowledgement and documentation that the dentist's or dental hygienist's practice under the special volunteer license will be exclusively and totally devoted to providing dental care to needy and indigent persons in this state;
4. Acknowledgement and documentation that the dentist or dental hygienist will not receive or have the expectation to receive any payment or compensation, either direct or indirect, for any dental services rendered under the special volunteer license; and
5. A listing of all locations and dates that the person will be completing volunteer work under the special volunteer license.
C. The Board of Dentistry shall have jurisdiction over dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental technicians who volunteer their professional services in the state. Dental assistants and dental technicians shall work under the direct supervision of a dentist.
D. Dental assistants may be issued a volunteer permit at the request of an entity that provides dental services to the needy. Volunteers in a volunteer initiative who are not dentists or dental hygienists shall be named and provided on a list to the Board by the entity hosting the volunteer initiative with any other requirements as set forth by the Board. The Board shall provide written documentation to the host entity designating all persons who may participate in the volunteer initiative including authorization of the timetable requested by the host entity for granting licensure exemption. Any person working under a volunteer dental assistant permit shall not receive payment or compensation for any services rendered under the volunteer dental assistant permit. Volunteer dental assistant permits shall be limited to specific dates and locations of services to be provided.
E. All persons providing care shall do so under the provisions specified in Section 328.1 et seq. of this title or rules promulgated by the Board. Only those functions authorized by law or administrative rule shall be performed by the named person approved by the Board.
F. Volunteers shall not use sedation or general anesthesia during volunteer procedures.
G. Volunteers shall use a form to be provided by the Board for any patient with clear instructions for any and all follow-up care.
H. At any time, the Board shall revoke a volunteer license based on documentation of failure to participate according to state laws or administrative rules.
I. A special volunteer license shall be restricted to services provided at the locations listed on the application or for a specific not-for-profit treatment provider group as approved by the Board.
Added by Laws 2003, c. 138, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2003. Amended by Laws 2009, c. 192, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2009; Laws 2015, c. 229, § 10, eff. July 1, 2015; Laws 2021, c. 566, § 5, emerg. eff. May 28, 2021; Laws 2022, c. 158, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2022.