SB 92 Summary

• Eliminates the requirement for a separate certificate of registration for dental hygienists and dentists, consolidating licensing into a single license document.

• Establishes comprehensive qualification standards for dental hygienists including educational requirements, examination passage, background checks, and creates new AS 08.32.014 defining licensure qualifications.

• Expands the Board of Dental Examiners from seven to nine members and adds two dental hygienists as voting members alongside six dentists and one public member.

• Authorizes the board to impose civil fines up to $25,000 for violations of dental practice laws and creates a dedicated investigator position under board oversight.

• Allows only licensed dentists to own or operate dental practices, with limited exceptions for nonprofits, government entities, educational institutions, and charitable organizations serving underserved populations.