BILL NUMBER: S6752B
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to local block anesthesia
 
PURPOSE:
This bill allows hygienists to administer block anesthesia in addition
to the currently allowed local anesthesia and infiltration, in conform-
ance with regulations of the commissioner.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill amends article 133, sections 6606 and 6605-b, of the education
law.
Section 1 subdivision 2 of the bill adds a new, higher level of certif-
ication, the dental hygiene block anesthesia certificate, which will
allow certified dental hygienists to administer or monitor block anes-
thesia under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
Subdivision 3 specifies that the commissioner shall establish the stand-
ards and procedures for the issuance of each certificate.
Subdivision 4 provides that the department shall charge $25 triennially
for the issuance of each certificate.
Section 2 of the bill adds block anesthesia to the definition. of prac-
tice of dental hygiene.
Section 3 provides that the bill shall take effect one year after it
shall have become law.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Dental hygienists are currently allowed to provide nitrous oxide analge-
sia and to administer and monitor local infiltration anesthesia, but are
not authorized to provide block anesthesia. Block anesthesia is a form
of anesthesia that intra-orally anesthetizes an entire nerve group. Many
dental services require the use of block anesthesia and there are no
public safety issues inherent to allowing a qualified, trained dental
hygienist to administer it under the supervision of a dentist.
This bill provides for two separate certificates, the first of which
reflects the current status of the law requiring a dental hygienist to
obtain a certificate in order to administer or monitor nitrous oxide
analgesia or local infiltration anesthesia. This bill further creates a
second, higher level of certification building on the first, which would
authorize certified dental hygienists to administer or monitor block
anesthesia as well as nitrous oxide analgesia or local infiltration.
Hygienists interested in receiving certification in block anesthesia
will be required to complete additional training on top - but not dupli-
cative of - the training required for the Dental hygiene restricted
local infiltration anesthesia/nitrous oxide analgesia certificate. The
dental hygiene restricted local infiltration anesthesia/nitrous oxide
analgesia certificate is a prerequisite to the block anesthesia certif-
icate.
Currently, 43 states allow dental hygienists to perform local infil-
tration and all of those but two - New York and South Carolina also
allow for block anesthesia. This legislation will allow dental offices
to function more efficiently, thereby benefiting the patient and allow-
ing dentists and dental hygienists to provide greater access to care.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-2022: S6399/A1046 - Passed Senate/Died in Higher Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become law

Statutes affected:
S6752: 6606 education law, 6606(1) education law
S6752A: 6606 education law, 6606(1) education law
S6752B: 6606 education law, 6606(1) education law