Bill > S08759

This bill authorizes a licensed dental hygienist, designated as a "registered dental hygienist, collaborative practice," to provide dental services without supervision in collaboration with a licensed dentist under a written collaborative practice agreement. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Allowing dental hygienists to perform all services designated in regulation under general supervision without prior evaluation by a dentist or medical professional, and without supervision in authorized settings defined in the bill. 2. Requiring the collaborative practice agreement to be reviewed annually, include protocols for medically compromised patients and specific conditions, and be made available to the Department of Education upon request. 3. Mandating that dental hygienists provide a written statement to patients advising that the services are not a substitute for a dental examination by a licensed dentist, and that they fill out a referral form for any further procedures. 4. Authorizing the performance of services under the collaborative agreement in specific settings, such as hospitals, schools, and long-term care facilities. 5. Limiting each dental hygienist to one collaborative agreement and each dentist to no more than six collaborative hygienists, with exceptions for public health settings. 6. Requiring dental hygienists to apply for a certification to practice as a "registered dental hygienist, collaborative practice" and complete additional education requirements.