Committees

The Board has established the following committees to more effectively and efficiently conduct its business:

The Anesthesia Committee
The Education Committee
The Law and Rules Review Committee
The Communications Committee
The Policy Committee
The Scope of Practice Committee
The Ad Hoc Committee on Board Operations

The Anesthesia Committee shall, at the direction of the Board and following the mandates of Ohio Administrative Code Sections 4715-5-05 and 4715-5-07, oversee the use of conscious sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia by Ohio licensed dentists.

The duties of the Anesthesia Committee shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Review the credentials of all licensed dentists desiring to receive permits in either general anesthesia/deep sedation or conscious sedation, and make recommendation to the full Board for issuance of such permits to those so qualified, and to recommend the denial of permits to those not qualified.

2. Create and edit the necessary forms used in the permit application and renewal process.

3. Create and implement an administrative process for initial application review and renewal, including the coordinating of any necessary on-site facility evaluations and the review of the results of said evaluation as part of the application process.

4. The designation of a Board approved Anesthesia Consultant for use in the application review and on-site facility evaluation processes.

5. Review the law and rules regarding the permit issuance and use of anesthesia and sedation by licensed dentists and make recommendations for changes/additions to laws and rules as necessary.

Committee composition must include Board members, with one Board member being appointed by the Board President as chairperson (this person should hold a permit in either general anesthesia/deep sedation or conscious sedation), the anesthesia consultant selected by the Board, and may include other dentists holding valid permits in either general anesthesia/deep sedation or conscious sedation, or other necessary persons the committee deems appropriate to conduct business. A staff person from the Board may assist the committee in preparing the materials necessary for review by the committee.

The primary directive of the Education Committee is to review and make recommendations to the Board for acceptance or denial of continuing education sponsors, educational courses, and waivers or extensions of continuing education requirements for licensure/certification renewal. Committee recommendations are based on the standards outlined in Chapter 4715 of the Ohio Revised and Administrative Codes (Dental Practice Act).

Continuing education sponsors, Biennial and Permanent by Board action, may submit applications for review and consideration by the Education Committee. It is the responsibility of the committee to ensure that all sponsors of continuing education provide evidence-based dental educational and scientific courses designed to review existing concepts and techniques or to improve the knowledge, skills and ability of the individual to provide quality service to the public and the profession.

The committee reviews courses for compliance with specific training requirements as set forth in the Dental Practice Act. These courses include, but are not limited to:

• Medical Emergency Recognition for the Dental Hygiene to allow practice when the dentist is not physically present

• Continuing Education Practicums for Limited Continuing Education Licenses for Out- of-State Licensed Dentists

On occasion, the committee reviews course curriculum and topic content to ensure compliance with the Dental Practice Act for acceptable educational course objectives for dental and dental hygiene licenses. The Committee may be requested to make recommendations regarding specific coursework to be completed by licensees/applicants under special circumstances and/or pursuant to a Board Order or Consent Agreement (i.e. refresher courses, ethics courses, etc.).

In addition, the committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Board regarding extensions or waivers of the continuing education requirements for licensees or certificate holders based on unusual circumstance, emergency, or special hardship.

Periodically or with cause, the committee reviews the law and rules pertaining to continuing education, in addition to creating and updating the necessary forms utilized pursuant to these sections. The committee works with Board staff to ensure compliance with all facets of continuing education.

Committee composition must include at least three Board members, one of whom is appointed by the Board president as chairperson, may include past Board members and/or other dentists or dental hygienists with expertise in dental education. A staff person from the Board may assist the committee in preparing the materials necessary for review by the committee.

The primary purpose of this committee is to review, over a five year period, the administrative rules governing the licensing and regulation of the profession of dentistry, and make any changes as deemed necessary by the Board, subject to legislative approval. The Board is conducting this review pursuant to the Sunset Review legislation, specifically Ohio Revised Code Section 119.032.

In reviewing the administrative rules, the Board must consider four (4) determination guidelines:

1. Whether the rule should be continued without amendment, be amended, or be rescinded, taking into consideration the purpose, scope and intent of the statute under which the rule was adopted;

2. Whether the rule should be amended to give more flexibility at the local level;

3. Whether the rule should be amended or rescinded to eliminate unnecessary paperwork;

The committee will also consider law and rule changes as deemed necessary by the full Board.

The committee will meet as necessary and draft necessary law, rules and/or changes to existing rules and shall make recommendations to the full Board with respect to these law/rules, as necessary.

The chair of the committee will run any committee meetings, and minutes shall be taken to record the work of the committee.

Committee composition must include Board members, with one Board member being appointed by the Board President as chairperson, and may include representatives from the Ohio Dental Association (ODA) and the Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association (ODHA), the Board's assigned Assistant Attorney General, the Board's Executive Director, and the Board's Assistant Director. Only Board members have voting power with respect to recommendations made to the full Board. A staff person from the Board may assist the committee in preparing the materials necessary for review by the committee, and taking minutes during the meetings.

The Communications Committee is responsible for considering approaches to promote the mission, image, duties and responsibilities of the Ohio State Dental Board. The committee is responsible for making recommendations regarding creating and maintaining effective outlets for communication to the public, the legislature, the licensees, and the profession and professional organizations with whom we work. This includes facilitating communication through newsletters, web site and speaking opportunities, as well as facilitating the ability of interested parties/individuals to communicate with the Board.

The committee shall make recommendations to the Board regarding this area. The committee shall meet as needed and/or as directed by the Board.

Committee composition must include at least two members of the Board, with one member of the committee being appointed by the Board president as chairperson, and may also include the Board's appointed Assistant Attorney General, and the Board's Executive Director. A staff person from the Board may assist the committee in preparing the materials necessary for review by the committee.

The Policy Committee shall, at the direction of the Board, consider and develop policies which clarify the law and rules governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene, which more effectively and/or efficiently operate Board business, and/or which assist in maintaining the health, safety and welfare of Ohio's dental consumers.

The committee shall make recommendations to the Board that certain policies/positions be adopted by the Board on any given topic, keeping in mind that any policy/position adopted by the Board shall not exceed the authority granted to the Board by the legislature as outlined in the Dental Practice Act, specifically Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4715, and Ohio Admin. Code Chapter 4715.

The policies/positions of the Board shall be maintained by the Board in one file for ease in accessibility.

Committee composition must include at least two members of the Board, with one member of the Board being appointed by the Board president as chairperson, and may also include the Board's appointed Assistant Attorney General, and the Board's Executive Director. A staff person from the Board may assist the committee in preparing the materials necessary for review by the committee.

The Scope of Practice Committee shall, at the direction of the Board, consider inquiries and develop position statements which clarify the scope of practice for the profession, including dental auxiliaries in conformance with the law and rules governing the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene. The goal is to assist in maintaining the health, safety and welfare of Ohio's dental consumers. If it is necessary to adopt a formal policy on any given matter, the two respective committees shall work in conjunction to prepare the policy for Board consideration.

The committee shall make recommendations to the Board that certain policies/positions be adopted by the Board on any given topic, keeping in mind that any policy/position adopted by the Board shall not exceed the authority granted to the Board by legislature as outlined in the Dental Practice Act, Specifically Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4715, and Ohio Admin. Code Chapter 4715.

The scope of practice committee shall meet as needed and/or as directed by the Board.

The policies/positions of the Board shall be maintained by the Board in one file for ease in accessibility.

Committee composition must include at least four members of the Board, with one member of the Board being appointed by the Board president as chairperson, and may also include the Board's appointed Assistant Attorney General, and the Board's Executive Director. A staff person from the Board may assist the committee in preparing materials necessary for review by the committee.