Bill > HB1680

This bill aims to create a new category of dental professional called an "oral preventive assistant" and establish guidelines for their licensing and practice. The bill requires the dental commission to issue licenses to oral preventive assistants who pay required fees, submit necessary personal information, and successfully complete approved training. The scope of services for oral preventive assistants will include traditional dental assisting services, periodontal probing after initial diagnosis by a dentist or dental hygienist, and dental prophylaxis (cleaning) for patients in a healthy oral state. Importantly, a dentist must first verify that the oral preventive assistant has demonstrated the necessary skills to competently perform assigned duties before allowing them to work. The bill also modifies existing regulations to allow certain dental instrument sterilization procedures to be performed under general supervision instead of close supervision, and gives the commission authority to establish renewal requirements and continuing education standards for oral preventive assistants. By creating this new professional category, the bill seeks to improve access to preventive dental care by expanding the range of qualified dental professionals who can provide certain services.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1680&Year=2025&Initiative=false