SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6382

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Health & Long-Term Care, January 30, 1998

                Ways & Means, February 6, 1998

Title:  An act relating to the endorsement of school sealant endorsed dental hygienists.

Brief Description:  Allowing endorsed dental hygienists to provide sealants to low‑income school children.

Sponsors:  Senators Wood and Thibaudeau.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Health & Long‑Term Care:  1/20/98, 1/30/98 [DPS-WM, DNP].

Ways & Means:  2/6/98 [w/o Rec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6382 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Fairley and Franklin.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

  Signed by Senators Benton and Wojahn.

Staff:  Rhoda Jones (786-7198)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Without recommendation.

  Signed by Senators Brown, Fraser, Hochstatter, Kohl, Long, Loveland, McDonald, Schow, Snyder, Spanel, Swecker and Thibaudeau.

Staff:  Karen Barrett (786-7711)

Background:  In 1995, the University of Washington conducted a survey of dental disease among third graders statewide and found that 20 percent of those examined experienced 84 percent of the overall tooth decay.  The application of sealants have been found to retard tooth decay when applied properly and in the appropriate populations.  The Department of Health is currently providing sealants to low income children in schools in 12 public health jurisdictions around the state.

Currently, licensed dental hygienists may only apply sealants in school settings under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. 

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Licensed dental hygienists may receive an endorsement to assess for and apply dental sealants to low-income, rural and other at-risk populations in cooperation with public health jurisdictions in public and private schools.  Dental hygienists who seek endorsement as school sealant dental hygienists must complete the Washington State Sealant Guidelines and training developed by the Department of Health.  The secretary may adopt rules to implement this legislation.

The Department of Health must report back to the Legislature by December 1, 2002, on the impact of granting school sealant endorsements to licensed dental hygienists.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Endorsed licensed dental hygienists must complete the Washington State Sealant Guidelines and training approved by the Department of Health.  School populations who will receive dental sealants will be low-income, rural and other at-risk populations.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There are many children in our schools who need access to preventive oral  health care.  Allowing dental hygienists to provide sealants without the supervision of a dentist will increase access.

Testimony Against:  There needs to be much better coordination with a dentist.

Testified:  Patty Hayes, DOH (pro); Sharon Golightly, Pixie Needham, Washington State Dental Hygiene Association (pro); Dave Michener, Washington State Dental Association (con); Jeanne Raranski, North Thurston School District (pro);