HB463 Summary

• Creates dental hygienist loan repayment program administered by Department of Health to repay educational loans for hygienists agreeing to practice in designated dental health resource shortage areas for minimum two-year terms

• Expands scope of practice for dental hygienists, dental assistants, and expanded function dental auxiliaries to perform certain services (fluoride varnish, desensitizing agents, sealant application, recementation) without supervising dentist physically present for up to 15 consecutive business days under specified conditions

• Adds dental residency program completion as alternative pathway to dentistry licensure in Ohio; allows graduates of accredited dental residency programs to obtain licenses without regional board examination

• Increases licensing fees for dentists and dental hygienists to fund new loan repayment programs; allocates $40 from even-year dentist licenses and $20 from odd-year licenses to dental hygienist loan repayment fund

• Extends referee/examiner appointment terms for state dental board hearings from 3-5 years to 6-8 years and creates temporary volunteer dental certificates for out-of-state licensed dentists and hygienists providing pro bono services