In effect today: More options for quality dental care

A brighter smile can come with a hefty price tag. If you don’t have insurance, you’re probably well aware of the financial nightmare of seeking routine, preventative dental care. Last session, Rep. Tami Green passed House Bill 1309, which increases access to dental hygiene services among underserved populations such as seniors and low-income children.

Effective today, this new law expands the circumstances under which a dental hygienist may practice without the direct supervision of a dentist. Previously, dental hygienists were required to have at least two years of practical experience within the last five years in order to perform routine procedures such as removing deposits and stains from the surfaces of teeth. Now dental hygienists will be able to practice while unsupervised if they’re contracted by or under a lease agreement with a health care facility or a senior center. This will open up the door to quality dental care for more people.

This new law also allows dental hygienists to continue providing services to seniors, low-income, rural, and other at-risk populations by eliminating an expiration date on a previously created pilot project.

The authorization for dental hygienists to work while unsupervised in senior centers and with community-based sealant programs was originally set to expire on July 1, 2009. This new law eliminates that expiration date and continues efforts to increase the availability of dental hygiene services for underserved populations.