HB2058 Summary

• Allows dental hygienists to practice under the general supervision of a physician (licensed under Arizona chapter 13 or 17) in inpatient hospital settings, in addition to existing supervision by dentists.

• Expands the affiliated practice relationship framework by allowing affiliated practice dental hygienists to supervise dental assistants, including those certified to perform expanded functions.

• Permits dental assistants to perform radiograph exposure and tooth polishing under the direct supervision of an affiliated practice dental hygienist in addition to supervision by a dentist.

• Clarifies that affiliated practice dental hygienists can perform all authorized dental hygiene procedures except diagnostic procedures reserved for dentists, without requiring the dentist's presence unless specified in the practice agreement.

• Adds new subsection defining "general supervision" in hospital inpatient settings to include availability of a supervising physician for consultation during dental hygiene procedures.