Uconda Schoolfield

The regular meeting addressed several administrative and committee matters. The Executive Director reported on Fiscal Year 2026 revenues and expenses, noting the deficit is expected to be offset by license renewals, and confirmed the new content management system is nearing completion. The Controlled Substances Prescribing Council voted to regulate veterinarian prescribing practices, and Dr. Rebecca Green volunteered to fill an open seat on that Council. The Law Enforcement Committee reviewed five complaints, with two held for further investigation. The Expanded Duties Committee noted that the public comment period for health hygiene revisions was closing soon with no comments received for the scheduled hearing. The Advisory Opinion 25-01 Committee discussed an opinion affirming that licensed anesthetists cannot work under dentists and that purely aesthetic dermatological procedures are outside the definition of dentistry; a vote was postponed for further research. The Continuing Education Review Committee proposed amendments to CE requirements, including changing the sedation CE requirement to "live, interactive" and creating a CE waiver process for semi-retired dentists; one revision regarding sedation CE was approved. External reports included an update on the ADEX merger, and the Board supported an amendment to KRS 313.020(1) to grant the Tanner College of Dental Medicine an ex-officio seat. The Board also agreed to request a proposal for financially supporting the KDA's mental health support program for practitioners. New Business included the presentation of Advisory Opinion Request 25-02 regarding tooth gems, with the Board agreeing in principle that their application and removal fall within the scope of dental practice.

The regular meeting included a review of the financial statements for the first four months of the fiscal year and the submission of the 2026-2028 budget request. The Law Enforcement Committee reviewed nine complaint cases, resulting in dismissals, further investigations, and one private admonishment. The Well-Being Committee reported compliance from most participants, but one participant faced license suspension due to contract violations. The Advisory Opinion Committee discussed Request 25-01 regarding skin lasers, taking no action, and approved the response for Request 25-02 affirming tooth gems fall within the scope of dental practice. Revisions to regulations regarding public health hygiene (201 KAR 8:563), continuing education waivers for semi-retired licensees (201 KAR 8:533), and licensure eligibility for internationally trained dentists were approved. The Scope of Practice Committee reviewed proposed revisions concerning neuromodulator administration by hygienists and supragingival scaling registration for dental assistants. Additionally, the Board approved developing language to limit corporate ownership of dental clinics. New business included finalizing language for a mental health services contract with AllOne Health, agreeing to incorporate a child abuse CE requirement, and confirming MedQuest College's automatic inclusion in the dental hygiene program rotation.

The Kentucky Board of Dentistry convened to discuss several key issues. The board elected new officers, including a president and vice president, and determined a meeting schedule for the 2025-26 term. Staff members and contract personnel discussed their roles and responsibilities. The board reviewed the fiscal year's financial status, legislative and legal updates, and committee reports from the Law Enforcement Committee and Expanded Duties Committee. External reports were given by representatives from Big Sandy Community and Technical College, the Kentucky Dental Association, the Department for Public Health, and the University of Pikeville. The board also addressed an advisory opinion request and concerns about continuing education options for sedation permit renewal.

The Kentucky Board of Dentistry convened to discuss several key issues. The Law Enforcement Committee reviewed cases and charitable license applications. The Expanded Duties Committee explored opportunities to increase access to care by creating new expanded duties opportunities in the dental hygiene and dental assistant regulations and worked to revise the rules for public health hygiene registration. The Ethics Committee presented a draft Code of Ethics & Conflict of Interest Form. Reports were heard from the University of Louisville, the Kentucky Dental Association, and the Department for Public Health. The board also discussed revenues, expenses, legislative matters, and a continuing education audit. The list of nominees vying for the two dentist seats coming open on the Board was reviewed.

The Kentucky Board of Dentistry meeting included discussions and actions on various topics. The board approved changes in the licensure of dentists regulation, struck an item regarding photos from dental practices and prescription writing regulation, and removed wording regarding anonymous complaints from the same regulation. Multiple changes were accepted to the dental practices and prescription writing regulation regarding compliances with House Bill 1, and changes were made to fees and fines in regards to House Bill 1. The board also decided to do presentations regarding specifics of HB 1 at state parks. Additionally, the Dental Laboratory Committee was created. The election of officers resulted in Adam Rich, D.M.D. being elected president, Robert Zena, D.M.D. as vice-president, and Mary Ann Burch, R.D.H. as secretary-treasurer. The KBOD also decided to become members of all regional testing agencies and nominated Katherine King, D.M.D. to the SRTA Board of Trustees.