House Bill 334 Summary

• Allows dental hygienists to work under general supervision (rather than direct supervision) of a dentist in licensed nursing homes if they meet specific requirements.

• Requires dental hygienists to have at least four years of full-time practice experience, current CPR certification, and six hours of continuing education on medical emergencies within the last two years.

• Mandates that supervising dentists examine patients before dental hygienist treatment begins and at least every nine months thereafter, and that hygienists comply with emergency protocols.

• Limits dental hygienists under general supervision to performing oral prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, silver diamine fluoride treatment, and oral hygiene instruction and education.

• Restricts each dentist to supervising a maximum of six dental hygienists in nursing homes and takes effect July 1, 2024.