Revision: May 13, 2026, 3:51 p.m.
Rep. Layon, Rock. 13
Rep. Drago, Rock. 4
Rep. Osborne, Rock. 2
May 13, 2026
2026-1965h
09/08
Floor Amendment to SB 567-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT relative to the composition of the board of dental examiners and relative to the practice of dentistry and when radiographic examinations are required.
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 1 with the following:
2 Finding. With respect to section 3 of this section, the general court finds that general recommendation 1.2 from the January 2026 publication "American Dental Association and American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology patient selection for dental radiography and cone-beam computed tomography Clinical recommendations" in the Journal of the American Dental Association states that "radiographic screening shall not be performed before the clinical examination. The decision to obtain a radiograph or CBCT scan shall be made on the basis of the patient's medical and dental histories, clinical examination, disease risk assessment, presence of a clinical condition, and previously obtained radiographic imaging. The benefits to the diagnosis and treatment planning must outweigh the potential risks from exposure to radiation, especially in the case of a child or young adult."
3 New Paragraph; Practice of Dentistry; X-Rays; When Required. Amend RSA 317-A:17 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:
II-a. Notwithstanding RSA 317-A:17, II(g) and recognizing that the clinical guidelines published by the American Dental Association and the American Dental Hygienists Society state that they are not intended as regulatory documents, the board shall not take action against a licensee for variations from clinical guidelines intended to provide person-centered care that is specific for each individual and which considers the person's needs, values and preferences.
(a) Radiographic screening shall not be performed before the clinical examination. The decision to obtain a radiograph or CBCT scan shall be made on the basis of the patient's medical and dental histories, clinical examination, disease risk assessment, presence of a clinical condition, and previously obtained radiographic imaging. The benefits to the diagnosis and treatment planning must outweigh the potential risks from exposure to radiation, especially in the case of a child or young adult.
(b) When the decision to obtain a radiograph is refused by the patient, the dentist may treat the patient who has declined to have a radiographic examination. In such cases, the dentist shall require the patient to sign a waiver of liability, indicating that the patient waives the right to sue the dentist in the event that the lack of a radiographic examination results in unforeseen injury to the patient. No dentist shall be subject to license suspension, revocation, or any other disciplinary action by the board for actions taken pursuant to this paragraph.
I. Section 1 of this act shall take effect September 1, 2026.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
2026-1965h
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Mandates that one member of the board of dental examiners be a general dentist.
II. Mandates that radiographic screening shall not be performed before the clinical examination. The decision to obtain a radiograph or CBCT scan shall be made on the basis of the patient's medical and dental histories, clinical examination, disease risk assessment, presence of a clinical condition, and previously obtained radiographic imaging.
III. Provides that a dentist may treat a patient who declines to have a radiographic examination and the dentist in such cases shall require the patient to sign a waiver of liability.