AZ HB2235

Establishes licensing and regulation of dental therapists in Arizona through a new Article 3.1, requiring applicants to be licensed dental hygienists, graduate from an accredited dental therapy program, and pass clinical and jurisprudence examinations.

Permits dental therapists to practice either under direct supervision of a dentist or pursuant to a written collaborative practice agreement in specific settings including federally qualified health centers, community health centers, and nonprofit dental practices serving low-income populations.

Authorizes dental therapists to perform a broad range of clinical procedures including oral evaluations, scaling, restorations, extractions of certain teeth, administering anesthetics, and other therapeutic and diagnostic services as specified in the practice scope.

Requires supervising dentists to limit collaborative practice agreements to no more than four dental therapists and establishes protocols for patient care, quality assurance, and handling of cases exceeding the therapist's scope of practice.

Mandates that the Department of Health Services conduct a three-year study on the impact of dental therapist licensing regarding patient safety, cost effectiveness, access to services, and complaint records, with findings reported to the legislature.