November 3, 1998MOTION BY SUPERVISOR ZEV YAROSLAVSKY
A recent news story has drawn attention to unlicensed practitioners posing as certified dentists and allegedly providing sub-standard dental care to unsuspecting residents. Some of these operators have purportedly attempted to treat advanced complications of serious dental problems, thus endangering the health of the patients. This activity is not unlike that which instigated the recent Board investigation of the operations of unlicensed medical clinics and the illegal dispensing of pharmaceuticals. The existence of such operators and the threat they represent to the people they treat deserve a full investigation and response by the County.
The story in question focused primarily on unlicensed dentists operating in the San Fernando Valley. Aside from the hazard they pose to the community, their presence also underscores the lack of available qualified dental services for low income residents of the Valley, and possibly other areas.
Earlier this year, upon learning that none of the Department of Health Services (DHS) current dental care services were offered in the San Fernando Valley, I asked the Director of DHS to develop a plan for some measure of qualified dental services for this community. I understand such a plan has been developed and will soon be ready for implementation. Nevertheless, the problems presented by unlicensed dental operators and the lack of qualified dental services require further attention.
I, THEREFORE MOVE, that the Board of Supervisors instruct the Director of Health Services to investigate the problem of unlicensed dental operations and to report back to the Board in 30 days with findings and recommendations. This report should describe the scope of such illegal operations, procedures available for their control, and recommendations regarding any policies or regulations needed to improve the enforcement process; and
I FURTHER MOVE that the Board instruct the Director of DHS to provide in 90 days, an assessment of the overall issue of dental needs among the County’s medically indigent residents, including a description of available services, and actions required to improve the overall system of dental services on behalf of this population.
