Authorizes dental hygienists to provide such services in collaboration with a licensed dentist

Summary of provisions

Section one defines the practice of dental hygiene as the performance of services for the control of oral disease and the promotion of oral health through education and the delivery of preventive and therapeutic treatments to minimize oral disease. This section further explains that such services shall include but not be limited to assessment, dental hygiene diagnosis, dental hygiene care planning, oral health teaching, oral health counseling, and provision of treatment supportive to the dental hygiene care prescribed by a licensed dentist consistent with regulations set forth by the Commissioner. It also states that under the supervision of a licensed dentist, the prac- tice of dental hygiene shall not be impeded by the setting in which a licensed dental hygienist may provide dental hygiene services. Finally, this section provides that a registered dental hygienist, collaborative practice, shall practice without supervision but within the collabora- tive practice agreement between a licensed dentist and such hygienist.

Section two adds a new section 6607-a to the education law which creates and defines the practice of collaborative practice dental hygiene. This section provides that the practice of dental hygiene may be performed in collaboration with a licensed dentist provided such services are performed in accordance with a written practice agreement and written practice protocols. This section also establishes the required content and procedures pertaining to the written collaborative practice agree- ment and collaborative practice arrangements. It also requires dental hygienists to provide a patient with a written statement advising the patient that dental hygiene services are not a substitute for a dental examination by a licensed dentist, and to make referrals for further dental procedures as necessary.

Section three provides the effective date.

Justification

According to the Department of Health's Oral Health Plan for New York State (2005), approximately 50% of children in New York experience tooth decay by the third grade and about 18% of New Yorkers 65 years and older have lost all their teeth. Because of current dispar- ities that exist in oral health, these numbers are even higher among low-income and minority populations. Increasing access to dental hygiene services will help to ensure that all New Yorkers are able to receive quality oral healthcare.

Changing the current definition of the practice of dental hygiene is one way to increase access to dental hygiene services. The current defi- nition is a rigid list of specific tasks that dental hygienists are authorized to perform. It does not provide dental hygienists the flexi- bility to utilize new techniques or perform tasks that are within their training and expertise but fail to appear on the list. The definition proposed in this bill would correct this, and also authorize dental hygienists, when under the supervision of a licensed dentist, to prac- tice in any appropriate setting. This would allow dental hygienists to provide care to homebound patients or those in hospice, as well as in school and community-based programs.

Collaborative practice is another way increase access to dental hygiene care and disease prevention. Dental hygienists would be able to practice without the supervision of the dentist pursuant to the terms of the collaborative practice agreement. This makes it much easier for dental hygienists to practice in underserved communities, where there is a great. need for prophylactic treatments and oral health counseling. Collaborative practice dental hygienists would also be able to screen patients for more serious disease. Patients would receive referrals to the collaborating dentist for dental examinations and other treatments. Overall, this creates more opportunities for New Yorkers to receive dental hygiene care, and decreases their risks for developing oral disease and tooth decay.

Legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Local fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.