Bill > S1118

This bill establishes a new category of dental professional called an "Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner" (ADHP) in Massachusetts. To become an ADHP, a dental hygienist must graduate from an accredited program of 18 months or less, pass a competency-based clinical exam, gain supervised practice experience, and obtain professional liability insurance. ADHPs will be able to perform a wider range of oral health care services than traditional dental hygienists, including preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, and restorative procedures, as well as administer local anesthesia and certain medications, all under a written collaborative agreement with a licensed dentist or a government health agency. This agreement outlines the level of communication and consultation required to ensure patient safety, and the Board of Registration in Dentistry will set guidelines for these agreements. The bill also specifies that ADHPs can be directly reimbursed by Medicaid and the Commonwealth Care health insurance program and will be able to supervise dental assistants. The Board will also evaluate the impact of ADHPs on patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and access to dental care.