S.B. 381 Summary

• Clarifies that dental assistant duties cannot overlap with or infringe upon the scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists under chapter 447.

• Establishes a detailed list of 16 allowable supportive dental procedures dental assistants may perform under direct supervision of a licensed dentist, including assisting during procedures, taking radiographs, making impressions, and placing non-aerosol topical anesthetics.

• Prohibits dental assistants from performing 16 specified irreversible procedures that require licensure, including administering anesthesia, performing surgical procedures, placing restorations, and applying preventive chemical agents to tooth surfaces.

• Requires dental assistants to receive training in sterilization and disinfection procedures meeting OSHA and CDC guidelines, ethics, patient confidentiality, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation from approved programs or licensed dentists who complete continuing education.

• Establishes penalties of $100-$1,000 for first violations and $500-$2,000 plus license revocation for second violations; effective July 1, 2017.