Sen. Burgin files bill to restructure North Carolina Senate dental board

A new bill filed by State Sen. Jim Burgin seeks to change the composition and governance of the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners to improve oversight and representation, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 599 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Dental Board Reform.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill revises the structure and governance of the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners. It increases the Board’s membership from six to nine, comprising six dentists, one dental hygienist, and two public consumer members who must meet specific criteria, including no financial ties to dental services. The bill stipulates that the dental hygienist and consumer members cannot vote on matters involving the licensing of dentists or dental hygienists. Board members will serve three-year terms with eligibility for one additional consecutive term. Elections for dentist and dental hygienist members will occur every three years, with the governor appointing the consumer members. The bill also disbands the Board of Dental Elections, mandates the adoption of temporary and permanent rules for implementation, and is effective upon becoming law.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Burgin proposed the most bills (64) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Burgin graduated from The University of Tennessee Knoxville with a BS.

Burgin, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 12th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Ronald Rabin.