ARIZONA STATE SENATE

HAYDEN DARST

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH INTERN

JASON THEODOROU

LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH ANALYST

REGULATORY AFFAIRS & GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE

Telephone: (602) 926-3171

RESEARCH STAFF

TO:                  MEMBERS OF THE SENATE

REGULATORY AFFAIRS & GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE

DATE:            March 20, 2026

SUBJECT:      Strike everything amendment to H.B. 2910, relating to oral preventative assistants; repeal

Purpose

Repeals the statute governing the pathway for a dental assistant to practice as an oral preventative assistant.

Background

In 2025, the Legislature established a pathway for a dental assistant to practice as an oral preventative assistant upon completion of a training course approved by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (BODEX) and outlined scope of practice requirements for oral preventative assistants (Laws 2025, Ch. 17; A.R.S. § 32-1291.02). Current statute allows dental assistants to expose radiographs for dental diagnostic purposes, under the general supervision of a dentist or the direct supervision of a dental hygienist if the dental assistant has passed a BODEX-approved examination. Similarly, dental assistants may polish the natural and restored surfaces of teeth under the general supervision of a dentist or the direct supervision of a dental hygienist, if the dental assistant has passed a BODEX-approved examination (A.R.S. § 32-1291).

An oral preventative assistant is a type of expanded function dental assistant who has taken the required education and completed training to provide patients with additional preventive services and assist hygienists with preventive care practices. Oral preventative assistants remove hard build up on visible, healthy teeth or on patients with reversible gum inflammation (American Dental Association). A dental assistant is any person who acts as an assistant to a dentist, dental therapist or dental hygienist by rendering personal services to a patient that involves close proximity to the patient while the patient is under treatment or observation or undergoing diagnostic procedures (A.R.S. § 32-1201).

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

Provisions

1. Repeals the statute governing the pathway for a dental assistant to practice as an oral preventative assistant.

2. Makes conforming changes.

3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.