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HB 4593

Health occupations: dentists; representing oneself as a "dental specialist" or as specializing in other dental areas; prohibit under certain circumstances. Amends sec. 16608 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.16608). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4594'25

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Bierlein and 6 co-sponsors

Starting Jan 1, 2026, dentists without an official health profession specialty license may not label themselves dental specialists or claim specialties outside recognized fields.

placed on third reading
#healthoccupations:dentists #stateagencies(existing):licensingandregulatoryaffairs
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Bill Summary · HB 4593

Summary — HB 4593 (Public Health Code amendment)

Sponsor: Rep. Matthew Bierlein
Introduced/Filed: March 12, 2025 (introduced June 10, 2025)
Status: Reported with recommendation to Rules with substitute (H‑2); recommendation concurred in (11/05/2025)
Companion: SB 2625
Tie‑bar: HB 4594 — HB 4593 does not take effect unless HB 4594 is also enacted

Main purpose

HB 4593 amends the Michigan Public Health Code to restrict how dentists may describe their qualifications and practice focus. Beginning January 1, 2026, the bill would prohibit dentists who have not been issued an official health profession specialty field license from announcing or representing themselves as a “dental specialist” or as specializing in areas of dentistry for which there is no recognized specialty license.

Key provisions

  • Reinforces the Board of Dentistry’s specialty licensing structure (MCL 333.16608) and lists the recognized specialty fields:
    • Prosthodontics, endodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, oral pathology;
    • (Effective Sept. 1, 2022) oral medicine, orofacial pain, dental public health, oral and maxillofacial radiology, dental anesthesiology (total of 12 fields).
  • Clarifies existing points:
    • Dentists may still perform procedures in any of these areas even if they do not hold a specialty field license (i.e., scope of practice is not restricted).
    • Dentists with certain prior specialty certifications (as of Dec. 23, 2002) are treated as holding specialty field licenses for renewal purposes.
    • Specialty field licenses must be renewed concurrently with the general dental license.
  • New restriction (effective Jan. 1, 2026): a dentist without a health profession specialty field license:
    • May not announce or represent to the public that they are a “dental specialist”; and
    • May not represent that they specialize in an area of dentistry for which the Code does not provide a specialty field license (prevents use of unofficial specialty labels).
  • Tie‑bar with HB 4594: HB 4594 would add the title “dental specialist” to the list of reserved professional titles; HB 4593 will not take effect unless HB 4594 is enacted.

Who is affected

  • Dentists licensed in Michigan — particularly those who currently market themselves using specialist titles but who have not obtained the state specialty field license.
  • Consumers/patients — clearer disclosure of whether a dentist holds an official specialty license.
  • Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) / Board of Dentistry — enforcement and discipline for misrepresentation.

Enforcement and fiscal impact

  • Enforcement would be handled through existing disciplinary processes under LARA/Board of Dentistry (no major new administrative infrastructure specified).
  • House Fiscal Agency estimates minimal to no fiscal impact. Possible incremental enforcement costs and fine revenue if violations occur.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Effective date for the representational prohibition: January 1, 2026.
  • The bill is tied to HB 4594 and will not become operative unless that companion bill is also enacted.
  • Current status: reported to Rules with substitute (H‑2) and recommendation concurred in as of November 5, 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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