Bill > HB321

This bill revises Montana's laws regarding the supervised practice of dental hygienists by expanding their ability to provide preventative services in different settings. Specifically, the bill allows dental hygienists to provide preventative services in public health facilities and now also in school-based oral health programs under "public health supervision" - a status that permits them to perform certain dental procedures without direct dentist oversight. The bill defines public health supervision as providing limited dental hygiene preventative services without prior dentist authorization, including tasks like removing tooth deposits, applying fluoride, polishing restorations, root planing, placing sealants, and oral cancer screening. Dental hygienists practicing under this supervision must obtain a limited access permit from the board and are restricted from performing more complex procedures like administering local anesthesia. The services are intended to serve patients who have difficulty accessing regular dental care due to age, disability, or financial constraints. The bill also updates definitions of supervision types (direct, general, and public health supervision) and provides rulemaking authority to the board to establish qualifications for the limited access permit and identify qualifying facilities and programs.

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https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3074