Bill > SB268

This bill revises provisions related to insurance coverage for dental services provided by certain dental hygienists. The bill requires public and private health insurance plans, including Medicaid, to provide coverage for dental services performed by a "qualified dental hygienist" - defined as a dental hygienist who holds a special endorsement from the Board of Dental Examiners of Nevada, is employed by a nonprofit organization, and provides services within the scope of that employment - without dentist supervision, to the same extent as if those services were provided under a dentist's supervision. The bill also expands the range of dental services that such a qualified dental hygienist can perform independently, including conducting oral health assessments, developing dental hygiene care plans, removing dental deposits, taking impressions, performing certain procedures like curettage and suture removal, and administering local chemotherapeutic agents. Significantly, the bill requires insurance providers to include coverage for these services in policies delivered, issued, or renewed on or after October 1, 2025, and provides that any policy provisions conflicting with these requirements are void. The bill aims to increase access to dental care by allowing qualified dental hygienists more autonomy in providing dental services, particularly in public health settings like health facilities and schools.