Alaska is
considering a bill (HB 268) that would allow
the state Dental Board to apply sanctions, including suspension, denial and
revocation, to any licensee failing to properly inform patients about opioids.
Dentists would be required to orally provide the patient with
justification for prescribing the opioid, information about alternatives,
warning about the dangers of opioid addiction and written information from the Alaska
Department of Health and Social Services about the same risks.
Minnesota and Missouri are both considering
bills (SF 3179 and HB 1268, respectively) creating limited faculty
licenses for dental instructors who are otherwise not licensed to practice in
either state. Faculty would be allowed to practice in an instructional capacity
in school facilities. The Minnesota bill would also create an “emeritus” license for
retiring dentists. This license would not permit a recipient to continue
practicing but would instead serve as an official recognition of a career ended
in good standing.