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Saturday, February 2, 2019

Denturist Profession No Harm to the Public

The Maine Society of Denturists states that there would be no harm to the public if denturists’ scope of practice is expanded. They note that denturists in Maine must graduate from accredited denturist programs that teach all aspects of dental prosthetics, including partial dentures and dentures over implants. 3.1.1 The denturists emphasize that they work only within healthy mouths; and they are sufficiently trained and educated to be able to identify healthy mouths. Educational programs train denturists to recognize abnormalities through course work in oral pathology, biology, microbiology and histology. Patients with abnormalities in the mouth are referred to the appropriate qualified practitioner for treatment. Denturists offer two supporting arguments as evidence of their ability to safely serve the public. 3.1.2 First, denturists in Canada, Australia and some European countries have practiced under the wider scope of practice being sought in Maine; and there is no evidence that the provision by denturists of partial dentures or dentures over implants in these countries has endangered the public health, safety or welfare. The United Kingdom Clinical Dental Technicians Association asserts in its sunrise review submission that there are four key guidelines for the safe practice of denturism: adequate training; working within a defined scope of practice; strong ethical guidance; and mandatory continuing professional development. As long as these standards exist, an increased scope of practice poses no danger to patients. 3.1.3 Second, the denturist associations repeatedly stated that, to their knowledge, no denturist in any country has ever been found liable for malpractice. Denturists, they claim, pay significantly lower liability insurance premiums, even in jurisdictions that allow denturists to provide partial dentures and dentures over implants. Reference: Report Of the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation To the Joint Standing Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development Sunrise Review of the Expanded Scope of Practice for Maine Denturists Submitted Pursuant to P.L. 2004 Ch. 669 December 1, 2005 John Elias Baldacci Christine A. Bruenn Governor Commissioner https://www.maine.gov/pfr/legislative/documents/denturists.doc Denturist Profession No Harm to the Public Current Regulation and Practice Washington denturist licensing requirements include: • Graduation from a formal, board-approved program of not less than two years in duration; • Successful completion of a written and clinical examination approved by the board; • Completion of seven clock hours of AIDS education. Applicants can also qualify if they are licensed in another state or territory of the United States with substantially equivalent licensing standards, including a written and clinical examination. There is an option for military trained applicants as well. Denturists in Washington are authorized to make, place, construct, alter, reproduce, and repair dentures for the public. This includes taking impressions. They are required to examine the patient’s oral cavity prior to making and fitting a denture. The denturist must refer the patient to a dentist or physician if he or she sees anything during the examination that gives him or her reasonable cause to believe an abnormality or disease process exists. Reference: Information Summary and Recommendations Denturist Scope of Practice Sunrise Review December 2012 [Washington State] http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/2000/Denturist.pdf

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