Dentists protesting relaxing of rules

Siobhan McDonough

Thursday, May 10, 2001 | 9:52 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Dentists, hygienists and patients picketed outside the Legislature Wednesday against a bill that would allow dentists licensed in other states to practice in Nevada for two years on a temporary license.

"I'm concerned that dentists that come in don't know our standards -- we have very high standards in Nevada," said Sheri Glavin, a dental office receptionist from Reno.

"They say this bill is aimed at getting qualified dentists to the rurals, but there's nothing that says they have to work in the rurals," said Glavin, who joined several other pickets opposing Senate Bill 133.

The dentists would be required to have a clean record the last five years and pass a written exam. They'd get a two-year exemption from taking a clinical test that Nevada dentists must pass before practicing in the state.

Kathy Champagne, director of the Northern Nevada Dental Society, also picketed against SB133.

"We have the lowest incidences of problems reported by the Board of Dental Examiners," she said. "Our dentists know what they're doing."

"Some say we can't get enough licensed dentists because of our stringent standards," said Assembly Commerce and Labor Chairman Joe Dini, D-Yerington, whose committee is hearing the bill.

Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, one of the measure's co-sponsors, said it's needed because "trying to find a dentist in this state is a monumental task."

Carlton said there are only 4.28 dentists for every 10,000 people in Nevada, adding, "That's terrible. We need more dentists in this state.

"There's a lot of misinformation about the bill out there," Carlton said, adding that out-of-state dentists "are not getting any special treatment. They just don't have to take a clinical exam. They still have to take a written test."