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

Summary of provisions

Section one 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 agreement and collaborative practice arrangements.

Section one of this bill 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 two provides for the immediate enactment of this bill.

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 disparities 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.

Dental hygienists fulfill a critical role in the provision of dental care, both in private-practice and public health settings. In fact, a 2010 report issued by the Pew Center on the States found that adding dental hygienists to a practice enables most private-practice dentists to serve more patients while increasing profitability and productivity. With the enactment of the federal health care reform law in 2010, which will extend dental insurance to an estimated 5.3 million more children nationally by 2014, patient demand for dental care will continue to increase. Thus, it is imperative that dental hygienists' skills and training are fully utilized freeing up dentists to treat more patients.

Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) supports this action as one of its top five priorities of their twelve final recommendations. According to the 2011 published recommendations from MRT, this bill will allow for the maximum utilization of the dental hygienists in New York State, in keeping with their education, training, and expertise as oral health prevention specialists. Collaborative Practice will serve to improve the oral health status of New Yorkers and promote the prevention of disease and oral health.

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

Moreover this bill requires registered dental hygienist to apply for a new certification with the New York State Education Department for Collaborative Practice (RDH-CP). As a prerequisite, three years experience and continuing education requirements are provided for.

Legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.