MS HB1062

Authorizes licensed dental hygienists with at least 5 years of experience (6,000 hours) to provide dental hygiene services under general supervision of dentists for up to 10 consecutive business days, excluding nitrous oxide and local anesthesia administration.

Requires dental hygienists to have current CPR certification, work with written treatment protocols, and only treat patients examined by the supervising dentist within 7 months; patients must be notified the dentist will be absent.

Limits supervising dentists to no more than 3 dental hygienists under general supervision at one time and restricts supervision to 10 consecutive business days or 24 total days per calendar year.

Prohibits dental hygiene practice independent from a supervising dentist, prevents charging examination fees for general supervision visits, and restricts patients to one general supervision visit consecutively.

Authorizes the Board of Dental Examiners to assess and authorize general supervision of dental hygienists in nursing facilities and correctional facilities under the same conditions; effective July 1, 2025.