Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 13, § 19

There shall be a board of registration in dentistry, called the board in sections 19 to 21, inclusive. The board shall consist of 11 persons, each of whom shall be a legal resident of the commonwealth, to be appointed by the governor; 6 shall be graduates of a reputable dental college and be reputable dentists who have maintained a license to practice dentistry in the commonwealth for the 8 years preceding the appointment; 2 shall be graduates of a reputable school of dental hygiene and be reputable dental hygienists who have maintained a license to practice dental hygiene in the commonwealth for the 5 years preceding the appointment; 1 of whom shall be a dental assistant in the commonwealth for the 5 years preceding the appointment; and 2 shall be representatives of the public, subject to section 9B. No more than 1 member of the board who is a dentist may be a full-time member of the faculty or a trustee of an institution engaged in educating dentists or having power to confer degrees in dentistry. Board members shall serve for a term of 5 years. In April, the governor shall annually appoint a successor to those members of the board whose terms are expiring in that year. No member shall serve more than 2 full terms.

There shall be two advisors to the board who shall be dental assistants. One dental assistant shall be appointed an advisor annually, in April, by the governor for a two year term. Any vacancy in the position of advisor shall be filled by the governor for the unexpired term. Advisors shall provide advice and consultation to the board within their area of expertise, and the board shall submit to the advisors for review and comment, at least sixty days prior to its publication as a proposal, any proposed rule or regulation, except emergency rules and regulations adopted under the provisions of clause (3) of section two of chapter thirty A, which would affect the activities of dental assistants.