AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-9-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE LICENSED DENTAL HYGIENISTS TO PROVIDE DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICES TO PATIENTS FOR UP TO TEN CONSECUTIVE BUSINESS DAYS UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF LICENSED DENTISTS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; TO PROHIBIT THE PRACTICE OF DENTAL HYGIENE IN A MANNER THAT IS SEPARATE OR INDEPENDENT FROM A SUPERVISING DENTIST, AND PROHIBIT ESTABLISHING OR MAINTAINING AN OFFICE OR A PRACTICE THAT IS PRIMARILY DEVOTED TO THE PROVISION OF DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICES; TO PROVIDE THAT A DENTIST MAY NOT SUPERVISE MORE THAN THREE DENTAL HYGIENISTS UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION AT ANY ONE TIME; TO PROVIDE THAT A DENTIST MAY NOT SUPERVISE A DENTAL HYGIENIST FOR MORE THAN TEN CONSECUTIVE BUSINESS DAYS OR FOR MORE THAN TWENTY-FOUR TOTAL DAYS IN ANY CALENDAR YEAR; TO PROVIDE THAT A PATIENT MAY NOT BE SEEN TWICE CONSECUTIVELY UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION; TO PROVIDE THAT AN EXAMINATION FEE MUST NOT BE CHARGED IF A PATIENT IS SEEN UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS TO ASSESS THE NEED FOR DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICES IN NURSING FACILITIES AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF DENTAL HYGIENISTS IN THOSE FACILITIES, PROVIDED THAT SUCH DENTAL HYGIENE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL OF THE CONDITIONS OF THIS SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 73-9-5
As Passed by the House: 73-9-5