ADHA Access — May-June
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Stateline
Congratulations to Florida, which became the 45th state to allow local anesthesia (Senate Bill 1040). Dental hygienists will be able to obtain permanent certification to administer block and infiltration upon the successful completion of a 30-hour didactic/30-hour clinical course.
Congratulations to Arizona as well, where the governor has signed Senate Bill 1004 to allow dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia under general supervision to patients of record over 18 years old. The dentist will need to have examined the patient within the past 12 months.
In Georgia, a bill to amend the Georgia Volunteers in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Act was sent to the governor in early April. Under current law, retired dental hygienists or dentists may obtain a volunteer license to serve without pay for various government and non-profit entities. Senate Bill 338 would also allow dentists or dental hygienists licensed in other states in good standing to serve without pay in these settings as well.
The Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association (HDHA) reports that Senate Bill 2013, which mandates that dental hygienists display a copy of their license in their work place, has been sent to Governor Abercrombie for his signature. HDHA promoted this legislation as a protection for the public because it ensures that the person providing dental hygiene services is a licensed dental hygiene professional. Thirty-two other states already mandate licensure display.
After the Maine Board of Dentistry adopted controversial rules that restricted to bitewing and periapical the types of radiographs independent practice dental hygienists (IPDHs) could take, the Maine legislature passed Legislative Document 1891, allowing IPDHs to take all radiographs, including panoramic, full-mouth series, bitewings and periapical. This provision clarifies a 2011 law that established a two-year pilot project in which IPDHs
Could expose and process radiographs in underserved areas. Previously, the IPDH scope of practice did not include radiographs.
Three Utah bills of interest to dental hygienists and dentists became law in April. Senate Bill 202 creates a special dentist educator license available to a foreign dentist, licensed in good standing in another country, to serve as a faculty member at a dental school. Clinical practice will be permitted only as a necessary part of duties in the school program.
The influence of regulatory boards on amendments to practice acts varies. Some states require that boards remain neutral, while others allow them to request specific legislative changes. Utah House Bill (HB) 51 grants the authority to all of the major health regulatory boards to "recommend to the appropriate legislative committee whether the board supports a change to the licensing act."
Utah HB 125 amends the Medical Assistance Act (state Medicaid law) by authorizing the state Medicaid plan to pilot dental health care payment and delivery reform models intended to increase access to cost-effective and quality dental health care by increasing the number of dentists available for Medicaid dental services. While there are no specific details about what a pilot project would look like, dental hygienists are mentioned in the bill language.
West Virginia's governor recently signed into law House Bill 4077 to allow dental hygienists with a public health permit to place sealants without a prior examination by a dentist. The law, which goes into effect on June 8, 2012, stipulates that public health dental hygienists must act in accordance with a collaborative agreement with a supervising dentist and refer the patient for a dental examination within six months of sealant application.
Stateline is prepared by the ADHA Division of Governmental Affairs.
Iowa State Rally Day
The Iowa State Lobby Day was held February 29, 2012. Twentynine dental hygienists and senior dental hygiene students attended. The legislators were contacted by email beforehand, and all participants met with their legislators while at the Capitol. They also met with Senate majority and minority leaders and expressed concern over access to care, Medicaid reimbursement and continued funding for the I-Smile Programs. The Pew report citing an increase in emergency room visits for dental care and the hearings in Washington were brought to their attention. Participants gave each legislator a bag containing a soft toothbrush, toothpaste and an informational handout. In the afternoon, they met with Bob Russell, DDS, MPH, dental director, Iowa Department of Public Health. Iowa state dental hygienists are developing a strategy for the coming year and educating legislators for the submission of a bill on Medicaid Reimbursement for dental hygienists.
Congratulations to Arizona as well, where the governor has signed Senate Bill 1004 to allow dental hygienists to administer local anesthesia under general supervision to patients of record over 18 years old. The dentist will need to have examined the patient within the past 12 months.
In Georgia, a bill to amend the Georgia Volunteers in Dentistry and Dental Hygiene Act was sent to the governor in early April. Under current law, retired dental hygienists or dentists may obtain a volunteer license to serve without pay for various government and non-profit entities. Senate Bill 338 would also allow dentists or dental hygienists licensed in other states in good standing to serve without pay in these settings as well.
The Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association (HDHA) reports that Senate Bill 2013, which mandates that dental hygienists display a copy of their license in their work place, has been sent to Governor Abercrombie for his signature. HDHA promoted this legislation as a protection for the public because it ensures that the person providing dental hygiene services is a licensed dental hygiene professional. Thirty-two other states already mandate licensure display.
After the Maine Board of Dentistry adopted controversial rules that restricted to bitewing and periapical the types of radiographs independent practice dental hygienists (IPDHs) could take, the Maine legislature passed Legislative Document 1891, allowing IPDHs to take all radiographs, including panoramic, full-mouth series, bitewings and periapical. This provision clarifies a 2011 law that established a two-year pilot project in which IPDHs
Could expose and process radiographs in underserved areas. Previously, the IPDH scope of practice did not include radiographs.
Three Utah bills of interest to dental hygienists and dentists became law in April. Senate Bill 202 creates a special dentist educator license available to a foreign dentist, licensed in good standing in another country, to serve as a faculty member at a dental school. Clinical practice will be permitted only as a necessary part of duties in the school program.
The influence of regulatory boards on amendments to practice acts varies. Some states require that boards remain neutral, while others allow them to request specific legislative changes. Utah House Bill (HB) 51 grants the authority to all of the major health regulatory boards to "recommend to the appropriate legislative committee whether the board supports a change to the licensing act."
Utah HB 125 amends the Medical Assistance Act (state Medicaid law) by authorizing the state Medicaid plan to pilot dental health care payment and delivery reform models intended to increase access to cost-effective and quality dental health care by increasing the number of dentists available for Medicaid dental services. While there are no specific details about what a pilot project would look like, dental hygienists are mentioned in the bill language.
West Virginia's governor recently signed into law House Bill 4077 to allow dental hygienists with a public health permit to place sealants without a prior examination by a dentist. The law, which goes into effect on June 8, 2012, stipulates that public health dental hygienists must act in accordance with a collaborative agreement with a supervising dentist and refer the patient for a dental examination within six months of sealant application.
Stateline is prepared by the ADHA Division of Governmental Affairs.
Iowa State Rally Day
The Iowa State Lobby Day was held February 29, 2012. Twentynine dental hygienists and senior dental hygiene students attended. The legislators were contacted by email beforehand, and all participants met with their legislators while at the Capitol. They also met with Senate majority and minority leaders and expressed concern over access to care, Medicaid reimbursement and continued funding for the I-Smile Programs. The Pew report citing an increase in emergency room visits for dental care and the hearings in Washington were brought to their attention. Participants gave each legislator a bag containing a soft toothbrush, toothpaste and an informational handout. In the afternoon, they met with Bob Russell, DDS, MPH, dental director, Iowa Department of Public Health. Iowa state dental hygienists are developing a strategy for the coming year and educating legislators for the submission of a bill on Medicaid Reimbursement for dental hygienists.
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