HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1177        FILED ON: 1/14/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2080

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Chris Walsh

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to denture construction safety.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 1177        FILED ON: 1/14/2015

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2080

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 3360 OF 2013-2014.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

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An Act relative to denture construction safety.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 13 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 21 the following section:-

As used in this section the following terms shall, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, have the following meanings:

“Board,” the Denture Technology Board.

"Denture Laboratories,” a place in which a person performs or offers to perform a denture-related service.

“Denture-related service,” shall refer to (A) the construction, assembly, processing, production, repair, relining, or adjustment of a prosthetic or orthodontic dental appliance, a full or partial denture, a fixed or removable dental bridge, a dental plate of false teeth, an artificial restoration, or a substitute or corrective device for any part of the human teeth, gums, jaws, or alveolar process;  or (B) the fitting of a dental appliance, a denture, a bridge, a plate, false teeth, an artificial restoration, or a substitute or corrective device for the human teeth, gums, or jaws to or on a dental model, impression, or cast of any part of the human teeth, gums, jaws, or alveolar process.

“Denture Technician,” any person who performs, offers to perform, or aids, abets, or causes another to perform or offer to perform a denture-related service

Section 21A. There shall be a board of denture technology for the certification of denture laboratories, consisting of 10 persons, each of whom shall be a legal resident of the commonwealth, to be appointed by the governor, 6 of whom shall be licensed denturists, 2 shall be reputable dentists who have maintained a license to practice dentistry in the commonwealth for the 8 years next preceding his appointment, 2 of whom shall be representatives of the public, subject to the provisions of section 9B. The governor shall appoint annually in April, for a term of 5 years, a successor to those members of the board whose terms are expiring in that month. No member shall serve more than 2 full terms. The council shall elect from its membership a presiding officer. The members of the board shall not receive compensation for their service.

The board shall meet twice a year within the commonwealth and may meet at other times at the call of the presiding officer of the board.

SECTION 2. Chapter  112 of the General Laws is hereby further amended by inserting after section 52C, the following section:-

Section 52C1/2. In conjunction with the board of denture technology, the department of public health shall promulgate rules and regulations pertaining to the licensure of all persons engaged in the business of construction of dentures to be worn as a substitute for natural teeth. Included in the licensure requirements shall be health and safety standards regarding the condition of the lab in which the dentures are created.