DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Patrick Williams HB No. 234
Abstract: Requires that owner identification information be marked on every removable dental
prosthesis fabricated by a dentist or pursuant to a dentist's order.
Proposed law requires that every complete upper and lower denture and removable dental
prosthesis fabricated by a dentist duly licensed under present law, or fabricated pursuant to a
dentist's work order or under the dentist's direction or supervision, be marked with owner
identification information.
Proposed law defines "dental prostheses" as dentures, bridges, artificial restorations, or other
structures to be used or worn as substitutes for natural teeth, or appliances for the correction of
disease, loss, deformity, malposition, dislocation, fracture of or injury to the jaws, teeth, lips,
gums, cheeks, palate, or associated tissues or parts.
Proposed law provides that the required identification information shall include the name and
social security number of the patient for whom the prosthesis is intended.
Proposed law provides that if the dentist or dental laboratory determines the marking of
identification as provided in proposed law is not practical, identifying information shall be
marked in either of the following forms:
(1)The social security number of the patient may be omitted from the marking if the name of
the patient is shown.
(2)The marking may show the initials of the patient exclusively if use of the name of the
patient is impracticable.
Proposed law provides an exception to the owner identification inscription requirement for cases
in which, in the professional judgment of the dentist, none of the forms of identification are
practicable or clinically safe.
Proposed law provides that the La. State Board of Dentistry may establish any penalty or sanction
it deems appropriate for failure of a dentist to comply with proposed law.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 37:772.1 and R.S. 40:1299.133-1299.135)