S440 Summary

• Authorizes dental hygienists who complete Board-approved training programs to administer local dental anesthetics by infiltration and block techniques under direct supervision of a licensed dentist.

• Requires training programs to include minimum 14 lecture hours on pharmacology/physiology/equipment/technique, 3 hours on medical emergencies, 2 hours of laboratory/clinical instruction, and 3 one-hour competency evaluations.

• Mandates completion of a six-month preceptorship with minimum 750 hours of anesthetic administration under direct dentist supervision within 12 months of training program completion.

• Allows Board to approve equivalent qualifications from dental hygienists licensed in other states/jurisdictions without repeating full training requirements if education and training are substantially equivalent.

• Requires annual continuing competence demonstration through CPR certification and at least 2 hours of Board-approved continuing education in local anesthetic administration.