TITLE 18. PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Initial Agency Notice

Title of Regulation: 18VAC60-21. Regulations Governing the Practice of Dentistry.

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Name of Petitioner: Dr. Jacqueline Carney.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: To amend 18VAC60-21-280, 18VAC60-21-291, and 18VAC60-21-301, relating to administration and monitoring of sedation and anesthesia.

Agency Plan for Disposition of Request: The petition will be published on February 6, 2017, in the Virginia Register of Regulations and also posted on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall at www.townhall.virginia.gov to receive public comment ending March 8, 2017. The request to amend regulations and any comments for or against the petition will be considered by the board at the first scheduled meeting after close of comment, which will be March 10, 2017.

Public Comment Deadline: March 8, 2017.

Agency Contact: Elaine J. Yeatts, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4688, or email elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov.

VA.R. Doc. No. R17-10; Filed January 15, 2017, 1:11 p.m.

Agency Decision

Title of Regulation: 18VAC60-21. Regulations Governing the Practice of Dentistry.

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-2400 of the Code of Virginia.

Name of Petitioner: Dr. Christine Barry.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: To add to the listing of approved providers of continuing education, "and other continuing education organizations as approved by the Board."

Agency Decision: Request denied.

Statement of Reason for Decision: At its meeting on December 9, 2016, the board discussed the request and attached documentation. Board members were also given a copy of the one public comment on the petition. The board has decided not to initiate rulemaking for two reasons: (i) the board has neither the expertise nor the resources to appropriately evaluate each course for course content, credentials of the presenter, and quality of provider; it must largely rely on established professional associations and education institutions to perform those tasks; and (ii) persons or entities that offer continuing education, such as National Provider Compliance Corporation, have the opportunity to submit courses for approval by one of the associations or institutions currently listed in regulation, provided the courses are "continuing education programs...directly relevant to the treatment and care of patients" (18VAC60-21-250 B).

Agency Contact: Elaine J. Yeatts, Regulatory Coordinator, Department of Health Professions, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-4688, or email elaine.yeatts@dhp.virginia.gov.

VA.R. Doc. No. R17-01; Filed January 18, 2017, 5:04 p.m.