Dental board-backed bill would require dentist to be responsible for infection control at private offices

Sen. Klausmeier presented SB 335, a bill prompted by the Maryland Board of Dental Examiners to address situations where investigators cannot identify a responsible licensed dentist and therefore cannot issue corrective orders in infection-control complaints.

Dr. Edward Morris, a board member, told the committee that infection control complaints are the board’s top priority and that requiring a supervising dentist who registers with the board would give regulators a clear contact and improve enforcement. The bill as drafted would permit a supervising dentist to oversee up to three closely proximate locations; the board would set proximity by regulation.

Members of dental support organizations (DSOs) and Medicaid-serving practices raised concerns about cost and operational impact. Caitlin McDonough (representing a DSO) said Medicaid reimbursement rates do not cover extra staffing or higher dentist pay that might be needed if a licensed dentist must be designated for infection control. Danielle Virenian (Association of Dental Support Organizations) said the bill may be “a solution in search of a problem” and noted that current law allows unlicensed staff to assist with compliance; she urged working with sponsors on targeted amendments.

Sponsor and board witnesses said the designations need not force owners to be the supervising dentist and that hygienists and other staff may still carry out many tasks under dentist oversight. The committee heard that amendments were being negotiated to address DSO concerns; the panel did not record a committee vote that day.