Bill requiring dentists to pass background check moves through legislature

Bill requiring dentists to pass background check moves through legislature after ABC15 investigations.

A new bill that would require dental professionals to pass a background check is on the verge of passing through the state legislature.

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed HB2496 on Wednesday. It now needs to pass a full Senate vote before heading to Governor Doug Ducey’s desk for approval.

HB2496 would require new dental professionals to obtain a fingerprint clearance card before they could practice in Arizona. A fingerprint clearance card is essentially a full background check.

However, dental professionals already practicing in the state would not have to obtain a card, according to legislative testimony and records.

Last week, the bill overwhelmingly passed through the House of Representatives with a 50 to 8 vote. That vote came one day after an A BC15 investigation exposed dental professionals are not required to undergo background checks .

ABC15 also uncovered many dentists in Arizona with criminal records for offenses involving drugs and fraud, as well as sex offenses .

In addition to ABC15’s investigation, the lack of background checks for Arizona dentists was a deficiency highlighted in a 2014 state audit.

Many states require full background checks for dental professionals, including neighboring states California, Nevada and New Mexico.

In Arizona, here are other professions that require a background check:

• Doctors

• Nurses

• Pharmacists

• Teachers

• Behavioral health professionals

• Realtors

• Funeral directors and embalmers