AK HB111

Establishes advanced practice permits for licensed dental hygienists with minimum 4,000 documented hours of clinical experience, allowing them to provide preventive and therapeutic dental services.

Permits dental hygienists with advanced practice permits to provide services to specific patient populations (seniors, disabled individuals, school children, homebound patients, and residents of dental health shortage areas) without dentist supervision or examination.

Advanced practice permit holders must maintain professional liability insurance and provide written notice to patients that treatment is limited, along with recommendations and referrals for comprehensive dental care from a licensed dentist.

Prohibits unfair discrimination against dental hygienists holding advanced practice permits under group health insurance policies and adds dental hygiene services as optional medical assistance services.

Allows dental hygienists with advanced practice permits to delegate certain tasks (radiograph exposure/development, topical preventive agents, pit and fissure sealants) to dental assistants under board-specified supervision levels.