SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5607

BYSenators Moore, Kiskaddon, Conner, Bender, Patterson and Peterson

Changing provisions relating to licensed dental hygienists.

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1988

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The practice of dental hygiene generally involves a number of procedures to clean, polish and smooth teeth and restorations. Dental hygienists are licensed in the state to perform these functions under the supervision of a dentist.  Some dental hygienists have limited statutory authority to practice without supervision in certain health care facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and group homes.

In 1985 the State Health Coordinating Council (SHCC) reviewed a proposal to permit dental hygienists to practice independently. The SHCC recommended independent practice for dental hygienists who have a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene, pass the competency examination and have at least two years experience supervised by a dentist.

SUMMARY:

A licensed dental hygienist may practice without supervision of a dentist when the hygienist possesses a baccalaureate degree in dental hygiene, passes the required competency examination,and has at least two years of experienced supervised by a dentist.

The State Committee on Dental Hygiene is enlarged to include a licensed dentist and one public member.

Statutory language is provided to authorize hygienists to purchase, possess, and administer topical anti-carcinogenic legend drugs and to inject local anesthetic legend drugs in connection with dental hygiene treatment.

Additional statutory language is provided to authorize hygienists to remove restorative material extending beyond the cavo-surface margins and to remove secular epithelium as involved with soft-tissue curettage.  Data may be collected and interpreted to examine and explain conditions of the oral cavity.

The State Committee on Dental Hygiene shall establish methods to determine the competency of hygienists who allow their license to lapse for a period of more than two years.

An immunity clause is added for the committee and the Department of Licensing for good faith performance of their duties.

The State Committee on Dental Hygiene is scheduled to sunset on June 30, 1988.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 25, 1988