DE HB428

Expands the definition of dental hygiene practice to include educational, preventative, and therapeutic dental services provided by licensed dental hygienists, including through telemedicine.

Allows dental hygienists to practice independently in hospitals, schools, nursing facilities, charitable institutions, and prisons without requiring direct dentist supervision, subject to facility and patient approval.

Requires dental hygienists practicing in these facilities to maintain professional liability insurance and refer patients to a licensed dentist annually with documented referrals in patient health records.

Permits dental hygienists to enter into written professional agreements with licensed dentists or eligible facilities to formalize the arrangement.

Maintains existing requirement that dental hygienists in traditional dental office settings continue to practice under general supervision of a licensed dentist.