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Minutes for SB103 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Updating certain provisions of the Kansas dental practices act relating to dentist information requested by patients, in-person practice requirements in dental office using licensee's name, unprofessional conduct and patient complaints.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 1, 2024
Chairperson Gossage opened the hearing on SB103.
Jenna Moyer, Staff Revisor gave a brief overview of the bill. (Attachment 1) There were no questions.
Mike O'Neal spoke as a proponent of SB103. He said that Kansas is a critical need area for access to dental care. With Kansas being the only state in the country with this practice limitation, dentists willing to expand into areas of need are discourage from doing so. The 20% rule is counter-productive.(Attachment 2)
Daniel J. Thomas gave testimony in support of SB103 saying that Kansas is the only state that mandates a minimum requirement for the presence of an owner dentist. (Attachment 3)
Heath Hall testified as a proponent of SB103. He stated that the repeal of the 20% Rule will lead to Kansans having increased access to high quality oral care. (Attachment 4)
William Wilk gave testimony supporting the passage of SB103 that would allow a dentist to expand one's practice across the state. (Attachment 5)
Questions were taken from committee members.
Written only, proponent testimony was submitted by:
Jon Lueth, Deputy State Director, Americans for Prosperity (Attachment 6)
Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform (Attachment 7)
Kevin Robertson testified in opposition of SB103. He stated that the Kansas Dental Association is opposed to SB103 because it removed the current law in the Dental Practice Act requiring the dentist-owner of a dental practice to be in all offices at 20% of the time clinical dentistry is being performed. (Attachment 8)
Dr. Charley Twietmeyer gave testimony in opposition of SB103 He said that SB103 is not in the best interests of the great people of Kansas as it seeks to eliminate the protections that patient's currently have. (Attachment 9)
Pete Ziegler spoke in opposition of SB103. He stated that if passed, SB103 would expose patients to over-treatment and car salesmen-like tactics; it could lead to a lack of faith in dentists across the state and it will negatively impact small business in Kansas. (Attachment 10)
Jarrett Romine gave testimony in opposition of SB103 by saying that the last thing society needs is more citizens who avoid the dentist due to a phobia from a bad experience of fear of being ripped off. Maintaining this law will limit the damage one person with bad intentions can do. (Attachment 11)
Questions were asked by committee members.
Written only, opponent testimony was submitted by:
Cynthia Sherwood, DDS, Advocacy Chair, Kansas Academy of General Dentistry (Attachment 12)
Written only, neutral testimony was submitted by:
Tanya Dorf Brunner, Executive Director, Oral Health Kansas (Attachment 13)
Chairperson Gossage closed the hearing and adjourned the meeting at 9:25 a.m. The next scheduled meeting is February 6, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.
