HB 221 Summary

• Requires dental assistants hired on or after January 1, 2020, to hold cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification and complete a two-semester program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.

• Requires all dental assistants employed as of July 1, 2019, to obtain CPR certification by January 1, 2020.

• Exempts dental assistants employed for at least five years as of July 1, 2019, from education requirements if they have no history of complaints filed with the board of dentistry.

• Specifies 16 allowable practices for dental assistants under direct supervision of a licensed dentist, including instrument transfer, radiograph processing, taking impressions, and removing dressing and sutures.

• Prohibits dental assistants from performing 21 irreversible procedures including administering anesthesia, performing endodontic procedures, extracting teeth, applying sealants, and performing dental hygiene duties.