SENATE BILL REPORT
ESHB 1466
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Health & Long Term Care, March 23, 2023
Title: An act relating to currently credentialed dental auxiliaries.
Brief Description: Concerning currently credentialed dental auxiliaries.
Sponsors: House Committee on Health Care & Wellness (originally sponsored by Representatives Riccelli, Leavitt and Morgan).
Brief History: Passed House: 3/4/23, 95-0.
Committee Activity: Health & Long Term Care: 3/21/23, 3/23/23 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Amended Bill
  • Changes the initial limited license name to an initial temporary license.
  • Removes the requirement that an initial temporary license applicant in another state or Canadian province be actively practicing and removes the AIDS education requirement.
  • Extends the temporary license expiration to five years.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Cleveland, Chair; Robinson, Vice Chair; Rivers, Ranking Member; Muzzall, Assistant Ranking Member; Conway, Dhingra, Holy, Padden, Randall and Van De Wege.
Staff: Andie Parnell (786-7439)
Background:

Dental Hygienists. Dental hygienists remove deposits and stains from the surfaces of teeth; apply topical, preventive, or prophylactic agents; polish and smooth restorations; and perform root planning, soft tissue curettage, and other operations and services delegated to them by a licensed dentist. Dental hygienists licensed in Washington may perform dental operations and services only under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
 
Licensure. A dental hygienist must be licensed to practice in Washington State. The Department of Health (DOH) licenses and regulates dental hygienists. To receive a dental hygienist license, an applicant must successfully complete an approved educational program and pass an examination administered or approved by the Dental Hygiene Examining Committee.
 
DOH may issue an initial limited license without examination to any applicant who:

  • holds a valid license in another state or Canadian province with a substantively equivalent scope of practice;
  • is currently engaged in active practice in another state or Canadian province, completing 560 hours of practice in the preceding 24 months;
  • files required documentation with DOH;
  • provides any information DOH deems necessary pertaining to the conditions and criteria of the Uniform Disciplinary Act;
  • demonstrates a knowledge of Washington State law pertaining to the practice of dental hygiene, including the administration of legend drugs;
  • pays any required fees; and
  • meets requirements for AIDS education.

 

A dental hygienist granted a limited license may perform limited procedures, and may obtain endorsements for local anesthesia, restorative procedures, or nitrous oxide analgesia.
 
The term of a limited license is 18 months, and is renewable upon successfully completing an educational program on the administration of local anesthesia and nitrous oxide analgesia, demonstrating relevant didactic and clinical competency, and successfully passing required examinations.
Summary of Amended Bill:

The name of the initial limited license and renewed limited license is changed to an initial temporary license and renewed temporary license. The requirement that an applicant for an initial temporary license be actively practicing in another state or Canadian province is removed. The requirement that the applicant meet requirements for AIDS education is removed. The expiration of an initial temporary license is extended to five years.
EFFECT OF HEALTH & LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE AMENDMENT(S):
  • Requires the Secretary of Health to issue a temporary license to all dental hygienists with an active initial limited license, valid five years after the initial limited license was issued.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Engrossed Substitute House Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard.  PRO: The current demand for dental hygienists outweighs the supply. Patients wait long periods of time to receive preventive care. There are challenges with dental hygiene education access and a shortage of educators, complicating the process for out-of-state hygienists seeking licensure in Washington. This bill allows dental hygienists moving into the state to start practicing while completing requirements for full licensure. This bill also extends the temporary license expiration to 5 years to allow more time for dental hygienists receive full licensure.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Marcus Riccelli, Prime Sponsor; Melissa Johnson, Washington Dental Hygienists' Association; Emily Lovell, Washington State Dental Association; Diane Oakes, Delta Dental of WA.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.