H 4401 General Bill, By D.C. Waldrop
 A Bill to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section
 40-15-160 so as to require mandatory annual continuing education requirements
 for dental hygienists beginning in January of 1993.

   02/12/92  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-11
   02/12/92  House  Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
                     Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-11

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-15-160 SO AS TO REQUIRE MANDATORY ANNUAL CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR DENTAL HYGIENISTS BEGINNING IN JANUARY OF 1993.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 40-15-160. (A) Beginning January 1, 1993, a person licensed to practice dental hygiene in this State shall complete during each calendar year a minimum of twelve hours of continuing education approved by the board. Of these hours no less than four must be in infectious disease transmission. Five hours must be within these subject matter categories:

(1) basic medical and scientific subjects, including, but not limited to, biology, microbiology, anatomy, dental anatomy, pathology, physiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, neurology, pharmacology, anesthesia, diet, and nutrition as it relates to the conditions of the human oral cavity;

(2) clinical and technical subjects, including, but not limited to, dental materials and equipment, diagnosis and treatment planning, asepsis and sterilization techniques, and radiology;

(3) patient health and safety subjects, including, but not limited to, public health, communicable diseases, emergency care, patient stress management, advanced life support, and risk management;

(4) subjects dealing with licensees' legal and ethical responsibilities, including, but not limited to, the laws and regulations governing dental hygiene.

Of the twelve hours three may include courses such as organization and management, communication, and behavioral science when oriented specifically to the needs of dental hygiene practice.

(B) By December 31, 1993, a person licensed to practice dental hygiene in this State must be currently certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the American Heart Association or a comparable organization approved by the board. Obtaining this certification or renewal of a certification may not be used to satisfy the continuing education requirements of this section.

(C) During the reregistration period of each year, the board will include with the reregistration application, an affidavit form on which the licensee shall attest under oath that the continuing education requirements of this section have been met, the total number of hours completed during the year, and the continuing education courses taken during the year, including the date, location, sponsor, subject matter, and the number of hours completed in the course.

(D) Compliance with the continuing education requirements provided for in this section is mandatory for reregistration each year. Failure to satisfy this requirement results in the suspension of the person's license.

(E) A licensee shall maintain a record of all courses attended by keeping the certificates of attendance for four years following the year of attendance. The board reserves the right to require a licensee to submit the licensee's certificates of attendance for the continuing education courses attended for any year within the last four years.

(F) The board may make exceptions to the requirements of continuing education and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification for dental hygiene reregistration in the event an unusual circumstance, emergency, or hardship has prevented compliance with this section. The board, upon granting an exemption, shall state in the minutes of the meeting in which the exemption is granted the name of the person requesting the exemption and the reasons given. The board shall adopt procedures for licensees who are granted an exemption under this subsection to fulfill the mandatory continuing education requirements of this section.

(G) The board may adopt procedures to administer and enforce the provisions of this section and for the approval of continuing education programs and providers."

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.