The Department of Dental Sciences at Idaho State University now has a key seat in the state’s most elevated level of dentistry professionals. Program Chair and Associate Professor Dr. Brian Crawford began his five-year term with the State Board of Dentistry in February. A former Idaho State Dental Association President and Southeast Idaho Dental Society president, he was nominated by that group to fill the role on the Board of Dentistry for the Southeast Idaho region. Crawford received a letter from Governor Brad Little to announce his appointment.

   The dentistry board is made up of eight members, and includes five dentists, two dental hygienists and one public member. As the regulating and licensing  body for the dental industry in the state of Idaho, the group is tasked with overseeing dentistry/dental hygiene licensure, responding to citizen complaints, skills testing review, and providing recommendations to the legislature. Meg Long-Woodhouse, retired ISU dental hygiene professor, also serves on the board. Crawford says their work is citizen, or patient-oriented, to protect the rights and safety of the patients in the state of Idaho. The board’s Mission Statement reads: “To assure the public health, safety and welfare in the state of Idaho by the licensure and regulation of dentists and dental hygienists.”