BILL NUMBER: S5727
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 1 of the bill adds the administration of block
anesthesia to the list of duties dental hygienists may perform under the
supervision of a licensed dentist. Subdivision 2 specifies that the
commissioner shall establish the standards and procedures for the train-
ing certificate issuance, to ensure that the hygienist is specifically
trained in the administration of nitrous oxide analgesia, local infil-
tration and block anesthesia. Subdivision 3 provides that the department
shall charge $25 triennially for the issuance of the 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 immediately.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Dental hygienists are allowed to provide nitrous oxide analgesia and to
administer and monitor local infiltration anesthesia, but are not
currently allowed to provide block anesthesia. Block anesthesia is a
form of anesthesia that intra-orally anesthetizes an entire nerve group.
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.
In fact, currently, 43 states allow dental hygienists to perform local
infiltration 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:
2025-2026: S6752B/A98 - Died in Rules
2021-2022: s6399/1046 - Passed Senate/ Died in Higher Education
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
The bill shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5727: 6606 education law, 6606(1) education law