This bill amends current laws regarding the practice of dental hygiene and the licensure of dentists. It mandates that dental hygienists must be trained and pass an examination approved by the board before they are allowed to administer local anesthesia. The specific legal language added includes provisions stating that the administration of local anesthesia is contingent upon the dental hygienist being qualified by the board after completing the necessary training and examination.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that applicants for dental licensure must be graduates of a school recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and must hold either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (D.M.D.) degree. The amended language clarifies that applications for licensure to practice dentistry must be submitted in writing or online, accompanied by a fee and proof of the required educational qualifications. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage and is projected to have a fiscal impact of less than $10,000 for each fiscal year from 2025 to 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 317-A:21-c
As Amended by the Senate: 317-A:21-c, 317-A:8
Version adopted by both bodies: 317-A:21-c, 317-A:8