H 4401 Session 109 (1991-1992)
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.
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