The proposed bill would amend current statutes by establishing a new category of dental assistants known as Oral Preventive Assistants (OPAs). To practice as an OPA, dental assistants would be required to complete a board-approved training course consisting of at least 120 hours of instruction, including clinical practice. Additionally, they must hold certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, coronal polishing, and radiography, and either possess 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 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 display their certification prominently. The Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners would be tasked with collecting data on OPAs and reporting this information 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