Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of dental hygienists and expanded function dental assistants in this State by the Board of Dental Examiners of Nevada. (Chapter 631 of NRS) Existing law further: (1) requires a regulatory body to adopt regulations providing for the issuance of a license by endorsement to engage in an occupation or profession in this State to a natural person who is licensed to practice that profession in another state; and (2) sets forth certain minimum requirements for obtaining a license by endorsement. Existing law authorizes a regulatory body to require an applicant for such a license by endorsement to submit proof that the applicant has engaged in the occupation or profession for which the applicant is seeking a license by endorsement for a period of time specified by the regulatory body. (NRS 622.530) Under existing regulations, a person applying for licensure by endorsement as a dental hygienist, in addition to certain other requirements, is required to have actively practiced dental hygiene for the 5 years immediately preceding the date of submission of the application. (NAC 631.030) Section 4 of this bill declares this provision of regulation void, and sections 1 and 2 of this bill prohibit the Board from adopting regulations that require an applicant for licensure by endorsement to practice dental hygiene to have practiced dental hygiene in another state for a specified period of time immediately preceding submission of the application for licensure by endorsement. Thus, sections 1, 2 and 4 have the effect of removing the requirement that an applicant for licensure by endorsement to practice dental hygiene have practiced in another state for 5 years immediately preceding the date of submission of an application for such licensure. Existing law authorizes an expanded function dental assistant or dental hygienist with a special endorsement to practice restorative dental hygiene to use an ultrasonic scaling unit only for the removal of bonding agents. (NRS 631.3129) Section 3 of this bill removes the limitation on the use of an ultrasonic scaling unit by an expanded function dental assistant or dental hygienist with a special endorsement to practice restorative dental hygiene, thereby authorizing such a person to use an ultrasonic scaling unit without limitation. Section 3 also authorizes such a person to perform coronal scaling.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 622.530, 631.190, 631.3129
BDR: 622.530, 631.190, 631.3129