Dental bill gains approval

Wednesday, May 30, 2001 | 10:34 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- After numerous attempts Sen. Ray Shaffer, D-North Las Vegas, has succeeded in helping to pass a bill that opens the door for out-of-state dentists who want to relocate in Nevada.

It currently takes 90 days or longer to schedule a dental appointment in Las Vegas, said Shaffer. "It's sinful."

After some spirited debate Tuesday, the Senate gave final approval to a bill to allow dentists from other states to practice in Nevada without performing the required clinical demonstration for the state Board of Dental Examiners.

The Senate voted 13-8 to concur on an Assembly amendment to Senate Bill 133. The bill goes to Gov. Kenny Guinn for his signature.

There is a shortage of dentists in Clark County and in rural Nevada. The national average is one dentist for every 1,700 people. In Clark County the ratio is 3,100 people to every one dentist, and in rural Nevada it is 4,100 to one dentist. The Reno area -- which is at the national average -- has no reported shortage.

Opponents said lowering the licensing standards would result in substandard care by dentists who come from other states and do not have to take the required test. "We're opening the door to a lot of travesty," said Senate Majority Leader William Raggio, R-Reno.

He called the bill a "great disservice to the profession" of dentistry in Nevada, where dentists and the state dental examiners board oppose the legislation.

Raggio's late wife, Dorothy, served as the consumer representative on the dental examiners board for 20 years. He said she complained about the "shabby" performance of out-of-state dentists who try to get licensed in Nevada.

But Sen. Joe Neal, D-Las Vegas, said the dental profession was a closed group. He said he wants dentists to come to Nevada to treat children with rotting teeth and "raggy mouths."

"This bill deals with the health care of people I represent," Neal argued.

Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-North Las Vegas, said the bill includes safeguards. Dentists who come to Nevada will still fall under the same regulations as those who passed the test in Nevada. "I do not want to lower standards," she said.

Shaffer said the bill would still require that a dentist have five years experience without a complaint filed against him or her. And the dentist must have passed the exam in his state.

"There are scare tactics taking place," he said, noting that he has brought this bill before the Legislature eight or nine times.