CT HB07281

Allows licensed dental hygienists with a certificate from an accredited dental therapy program to practice dental therapy effective October 1, 2019.

Dental therapy practice includes educational, preventive, and therapeutic services such as oral health instruction, disease prevention, medication dispensation, local anesthesia administration, tooth extractions, direct restorations, temporary crown placement, and suture removal.

Dental therapists must practice in public health facilities or dental health professional shortage areas under general supervision of a licensed dentist, or pursuant to a collaborative agreement with a dentist.

A collaborative agreement may allow a dental therapist to directly supervise up to two dental assistants, expanded function dental assistants, or dental hygienists, but dentists are not required to enter such agreements.

Certified dental therapists must complete a minimum of six hours of continuing education related to dental therapy practice within each certification period, in addition to existing continuing education requirements.