HB0243

Establishes licensing and regulatory requirements for denturists in Wyoming by amending dental practice statutes to include denturists alongside dentists and dental hygienists.

• Allows one appointed member of the Board of Dental Examiners to be a denturist who meets specified qualifications, and requires the Wyoming State Denturist Association to submit a list of at least three candidates when a denturist vacancy occurs. (W.S. 33-15-101(c), W.S. 33-15-101(e))
• Defines denturist and denturitry, specifying that denturists are supervised by dentists and provide removable oral prostheses services, and that denturitry is the practice of making, providing, repairing or altering removable oral prosthetic appliances under dentist direction. (W.S. 33-15-128(a)(xvii), W.S. 33-15-128(a)(xviii))
• Requires denturists to complete dental laboratory work only under direction of a dentist and pursuant to written prescription when work is completed outside the dental office. (W.S. 33-15-117)
• Establishes that denturists may perform services for patients only if trained in an accredited denturitry school and under supervision of a licensed dentist. (W.S. 33-15-119)
• Sets licensure requirements for denturists, including graduation from a denturist program accredited by the National Denturist Association or board-approved program, and passage of written, clinical, and state examinations. (W.S. 33-15-120(a)(ii))
• Allows denturists licensed in other jurisdictions with substantially equivalent standards to be licensed in Wyoming without examination upon providing proof of passing equivalent exams and attestation of good standing. (W.S. 33-15-120(a)(iii))
• Exempts denturitry students enrolled in accredited educational institutions approved by the board and pursuing denturitry as a major course of study from the act's requirements. (W.S. 33-15-115(a)(v))
• Requires dentists and denturists who employ outside persons to construct dental appliances to furnish written work authorization on board-prescribed forms. (W.S. 33-15-114(b))