Las Vegas NowI-Team: Dental Board Spends Thousands in Travel

I-Team: Dental Board Spends Thousands in Travel

The Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners regulates all Nevada dentists and hygienists -- some 3,000 active licensees. They're quick to point out licensing fees, not tax dollars, support their operations.

Among the tourists bound for paradise were 10 professionals traveling on the public's dime. They're members and staff of the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners and their destination was Waikiki. The Hawaii Prince played host early last month to the American Association of Dental Examiners, an organization of dental regulatory agencies. Among the attendees for the two day program was nearly the entire Nevada board.

"These are critical meetings to protect the citizens of the state of Nevada," said John Hunt with the board. He serves as the board's attorney and spokesperson. "In order for a board member to be effective, to understand the issues and the policies so that they can protect the citizens of Nevada, they're encouraged to go to these meetings," he said.

The mid-year meeting held six months ago at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago cost the the nine Nevada attendees an average of $1,500 per person. In total, the board spent $121,000 on travel last year. Hunt thinks it's a reasonable number and says the things that they have learned, the things they brought back, and the regulations they implemented as a result of attending those meetings warrant the cost.

On top of those meetings, there was a closed training session for the board and its staff, 22 people in all, on the exam used to license dentists. Then another eight hours over two days in August at the resort at Squaw Creek, just over the Nevada border in California.

Reporter Colleen McCarty: "It seems scheduled, we'll do a little work, we'll do a little play?"

Attorney John Hunt: "Well that's the way you see it."

"I have some concerns because everyone else is cutting back," said State Senator Maggie Carlton, (D) Clark County.

Sen. Carlton oversees boards and commissions as the chair of the legislative committee on commerce and labor. "Some travel is probably necessary. You have to keep your staff educated and up to date. But it's the level of travel. Are you sending two people or are you sending 10 or 12 people," she questioned.

Unlike the dental board, the state medical board recently limited out-of-state travel to two board members and one staffer while the nursing board cut its trip spending in half. The Nevada Legislature also stowed its suitcases by eliminating their out-of-state travel budget.

Reporter Colleen McCarty: "What has the dental board done to recognize the state of the Nevada economy?"

Attorney John Hunt: "I think that what the dental board does, that they have always done, is protected the citizens of the state of Nevada to have quality dentistry."

Better regulation by way of Honolulu, Chicago, and Squaw Valley. A jet-set agenda some find hard to swallow. "We need to hold them accountable," said Carlton.

State law requires the board to adhere to the rates established for state employees. For example, in Las Vegas the state reimburses up to $118 a night for a hotel room. According to receipts, the dental board regularly exceeded those rates. The board's executive director says she believes the board has complied with state regulations.

Like so many laws, there's no penalty for not following the travel rules, so it would be up to the dentists to raise the issue. But many say they're pleased with the overall performance of the board.