ND HB1256

Creates a new dental therapist license category in North Dakota, requiring applicants to graduate from an accredited dental therapy program, pass a competency exam, pass a state laws exam within one year, and complete 500 hours of supervised clinical practice.

Dental therapists must practice under the supervision of a dentist with a written collaborative management agreement and cannot practice independently; supervising dentists may supervise up to five dental therapists simultaneously.

Establishes dental therapist scope of practice including oral evaluation, teeth cleaning, x-rays, simple extractions, direct restorations, crown placement, local anesthesia administration, and other specified services under dentist supervision.

Expands the state board of dental examiners from 7 to 9 members to include one dental therapist member and one registered dental assistant member, with dental therapists and assistants having full voting rights except in clinical examinations of dentists.

Restricts dental therapists from prescribing drugs but allows them to dispense and administer non-narcotic analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics with supervising dentist authorization.