HB 5541 Summary

• Establishes the "advanced dental hygiene practitioner" (ADHP) certification allowing licensed dental hygienists with a master's degree to practice under collaborative management agreements with dentists, expanding scope of practice beyond general supervision requirements.

• ADHPs may perform diagnostic, restorative, and therapeutic services including local anesthesia administration, tooth preparation and restoration, pulpotomies, suture placement, and prescription of analgesics, fluorides, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials and antibiotics.

• Requires ADHPs to maintain professional liability insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence and $1,500,000 aggregate, and to practice in public health facilities or dental health professional shortage areas designated by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration.

• Expands definitions of dental assistant categories (entry level, certified, noncertified, expanded function auxiliary) and establishes direct supervision requirements and certification standards for each, including Dental Assisting National Board examinations.

• All sections effective October 1, 2012; application fee for ADHP certification is $200; violations subject to fines up to $5,000.