SB 1327 Summary

• Allows dental hygienists employed by public health agencies, institutions, and public or private schools to screen patients and apply topical fluoride without a dentist affiliation before examination.

• Permits dental hygienists with at least 5 years of licensure and 2,000 hours of practice experience to enter into written affiliated practice relationships with specific dentists to perform dental hygiene procedures in public health settings.

• Requires affiliated practice agreements to specify procedures, standing orders, patient populations, and mandate patient referral to a dentist within 12 months (or within 12 months for patients 65 and older) for examination and treatment planning.

• Restricts dental hygienists in affiliated practice settings to treating only patients enrolled in federal/state/local health care programs, national school meal programs, or families with household income below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

• Establishes that dental hygienists performing under affiliated practice relationships remain responsible and liable for services rendered and must maintain appropriate communication with their affiliated dentist.