Assigned to HEALTH                                                                                                                      FOR COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Forty-seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2214

dental hygienist; practice

(NOW: practice; dental hygienist)

Purpose

            Expands the duties of dental hygienists employed by a public health agency or school to include the application of topical fluoride.  Allows dental hygienists working under contract or as a volunteer for a public health agency or school to screen patients and apply topical fluoride before an examination by a dentist.  

Background

            Dental hygienists are dental professionals licensed by the State Board of Dental Examiners (Board) consistent with Board rules.  Hygienists are engaged in the general practice of dental hygiene and all related and associated duties, including educational, clinical and therapeutic dental hygiene procedures.  There are currently 3,028 licensed dental hygienists in Arizona that work directly with patients either under the direct or general supervision of a licensed dentist. 

            Direct supervision is classified in statute as the physical presence of a licensed dentist monitoring the action of a hygienist, whereas general supervision requires that a licensed dentist be available for consultation only.  According to Board rule, dental hygienists may apply preventative and therapeutic agents such as topical fluoride under general supervision.  In addition, a dental hygienist may perform a procedure under general supervision that is not specifically authorized in statute when the procedure is recommended or prescribed by the supervising dentist and the hygienist has received instruction, training, or education to perform the procedure in a safe manner.

            Current law allows public health agencies or institutions to contract with dental hygienists who are in an affiliated practice relationship with a licensed dentist and to employ dental hygienists.  Dental hygienists employed by a public health agency or school are allowed to screen patients before an examination by a dentist without entering into an affiliated practice relationship.  Statute is silent on whether a contracted or volunteer hygienist may conduct screenings.  In addition, Board rule stipulates that topical fluoride must be applied under the general supervision of a dentist.  H.B. 2214 allows screening and fluoride application by hygienists employed by, working under contract or as a volunteer for a public health agency or school.

            There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Expands the duties of dental hygienists employed by a public health agency or school to include the application of topical fluoride before an examination by a dentist.

2. Allows dental hygienists working under contract or as a volunteer for a public health agency or school to screen patients and apply topical fluoride before an examination by a dentist.

3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.

House Action

HEALTH        2/15/06     DPA/SE     6-0-0-3

3^rd Read           2/27/06                        57-0-3

Prepared by Senate Research

March 9, 2006

BKL/AH/ac