H. B. 2049
(By Delegate S. Cook)
[Introduced February 10, 1993; referred to the
Committee on Health and Human Resources then Finance.]
A BILL to amend chapter sixteen of the code of West Virginia, one
thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding
thereto a new article, designated article three-d, relating
to a state dental health program; purpose and short titles;
definitions; administration and coordination of programs;
services for the indigent; prevention; dental health
services unit within the department of health and human
resources; duties and responsibilities.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That chapter sixteen of the code of West Virginia, one
thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by
adding thereto a new article, designated article three-d, to read
as follows:
ARTICLE 3D. STATE DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM.
§16-3D-1. Purpose and short title.
It is the purpose of this article to establish a program of
dental health that administers and coordinates programs of dentalhealth services. This act shall be known and cited as the "West
Virginia Dental Health Act."
§16-3D-2. Definitions.
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise
requires:
(1) "Bureau" means the West Virginia bureau of public
health.
(2) "Commissioner" means the state health commissioner.
(3) "Dentist" means a person licensed by the West Virginia
state board of dental examiners to practice dentistry in the
state of West Virginia.
(4) "Person" includes individual, firm, partnership, joint
stock company, joint venture, association and corporation.
(5) "Program" means the program of dental health services
within the West Virginia bureau of public health established by
this article.
(6) "Resident of this state" means a person who is
physically present.
§16-3D-3. Administration and coordination of programs; services
for the indigent; prevention.
The commissioner shall establish a program of dental health
within the bureau for the purpose of administering and
coordinating programs of dental health services of the department
and with other local, state and federal agencies. The
commissioner shall adopt rules to govern the program and the
program shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) Providing a program of dental services for prevention
and care to the indigent residents of the state. This program
shall utilize or improve existing delivery systems for providing
dental care to the indigent residents and shall include
utilization of the private sector to the maximum extent possible
for provision of services; and
(b) Developing appropriate means for prevention of dental
disease for the benefit of all residents including the use of
recognized methods of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
This program shall include fluoridation of community and school
water supplies and other uses of fluorides, for example, rinses
and tablets. The program shall also include the use of dental
sealants and health education for prevention of dental disease
through self-help methods. Educational programs for adults and
school programs for children shall be established to inculcate
the principles of prevention.
§16-3D-4. Division of dental health services program within the
bureau, duties and responsibilities.
For the purpose of administering and carrying out the
provisions of this article, there is hereby created within the
bureau a program or division of dental health services. This
division is authorized to:
(a) Determine the terms, conditions and standards for the
eligibility of persons for aid, care or treatment provided under
the provisions of this article;
(b) Determine the scope and amount of dental services to beprovided;
(c) Institute and supervise educational programs for the
public and for the health providers with respect to dental
diseases and the prevention and treatment thereof. The bureau
may utilize existing programs and groups for this purpose,
whether or not such programs and groups are governmental;
(d) Assist in the development and expansion of programs for
dental health;
(e) Institute and carry on educational programs among
dentists, county health departments, schools and the public
concerning dental health, including the dissemination of
information in the conducting of educational programs concerning
the prevention, care and treatment of dental diseases and the
methods for dental health;
(f) Conduct surveys of existing facilities within the state
having to do with dental health and from time to time prepare and
submit its findings and a specific program of action; and
(g) Evaluate the need for the creation of local or regional
facilities.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to establish a state
dental health program within the Bureau of Public Health.
This article is new; therefore, strike-throughs and
underscoring have been omitted.