The proposed bill would amend current statutes to establish a new category of dental assistants known as Oral Preventive Assistants (OPAs). Under the new law, dental assistants would need to complete a board-approved training course consisting of at least 120 hours of didactic and clinical instruction to practice as OPAs. Additionally, they must hold certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, coronal polishing, and radiography, and either have a national board certification in dental assisting or have completed an accredited dental assisting program. The scope of practice for OPAs would be limited to removing plaque, calculus, and stains from patients who have received a periodontal evaluation, and they would be prohibited from using air polishing devices or treating certain medically compromised patients.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that OPAs practice only under the direct supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist, with specific limits on the number of OPAs that can be supervised at one time. It also requires OPAs to inform patients that their care is not provided by a licensed dental provider and to post their certification prominently. The Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners would be tasked with collecting data on OPAs and reporting it to state officials by January 1, 2029, with the data collection requirement set to expire on June 30, 2029.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 32-1291.02
Senate Engrossed Version: 32-1291.02
Chaptered Version: 32-1291.02