SB 68 Summary

• Establishes advanced practice permits for licensed dental hygienists with a minimum of 4,000 documented hours of clinical experience, allowing them to provide expanded dental hygiene services including scaling, topical agents, radiographs, periodontal therapy, and local anesthesia administration if certified.

• Permits dental hygienists with advanced practice permits to provide services independently (without dentist supervision) to vulnerable populations including seniors in care facilities, homebound patients, school children, and residents of dental health professional shortage areas.

• Requires dental hygienists holding advanced practice permits to maintain professional liability insurance and provide patients with written notice of service limitations and recommendations for comprehensive dental care from a licensed dentist.

• Prohibits group health insurance plans from unfairly discriminating against dental hygienists holding advanced practice permits and expands Medicaid coverage to include dental hygiene services.

• Takes effect July 1, 2021, with regulatory authority granted to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Department of Health and Social Services, and Board of Dental Examiners.