Legislature(2007 - 2008)BUTROVICH 205
03/26/2007 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SERVICES
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
SJR3 | |
SB98 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ | SJR 3 | TELECONFERENCED | |
*+ | SB 98 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 98-DENTAL HYGIENISTS CHAIR DAVIS announced SB 98 to be under consideration. 1:46:21 PM TOM OBERMEYER, aide to Senator Davis, sponsor of SB 98, said that the bill will improve the oral health care, overall health, well-being, and individual appearance and comfort of Alaskans. It allows better access to professionally trained dental hygienists and expanded services, and will help stem the epidemic of oral diseases affecting certain segments of the population; similar bills have passed in other states. He then explained the process for becoming a licensed dental hygienist, and how the bill will allow additional services to be performed by hygienists with prior board approval and a minimum of experience. The committee substitute (CS) for the bill makes a few small changes. 1:50:02 PM CHAIR DAVIS said that the CS reflects the differences in the companion house bill. SENATOR COWDERY moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute to SB 98, labeled 25-LS0670\C, Version C, as the working document of the committee. There being no objection, the motion carried. MR. OBERMEYER explained that the CS takes into account the differences in the house bill, regarding licensing, observation, and the approval of collaborative agreements. 1:52:30 PM SENATOR ELTON asked why a dental hygienist wouldn't need to be licensed in Alaska like a dentist would. MR. OBERMEYER said that the board has the final word on the matter, and it generally oversees assistants and examinations in the state. There are substantial training and examinations involved in working in Alaska. SENATOR ELTON said that the language of the bill mentions a national examining board, and it seems that the bill will allow someone licensed anywhere in the country to practice in Alaska. MR. OBERMEYER replied that the preface provides for a required endorsement by the Alaskan board for someone wishing to practice in the state. CHAIR DAVIS said that other testifiers should be able to comment on the issue. SENATOR COWDERY asked how many other states have adopted similar bills. MR. OBERMEYER replied that at least four others have done so, and cited statistics on each. SENATOR COWDERY asked how many dental hygienists graduate every year from University of Alaska (UA) schools. MR. OBERMEYER said that the he knows the UA program is competitive and effectual, but he will have to research its graduation numbers. 1:58:57 PM GAIL WALTON, member of the Alaska State Dental Hygienist Association (ASDHA), said that UA Anchorage has 12 graduates each year, and there's a UA Fairbanks program under development for 6 additional students. The program is two years long. SENATOR COWDERY asked if the program is sufficiently rigorous. MS. WALTON said that the number of hygienists is sufficient but could be reviewed; regardless, currently Alaskan needs are not being met. Hygienists aren't allowed to work in nontraditional settings and aren't being used to their full potential. The ASDHA supports SB 98, as well as the state Oral Health Coalition. She clarified that hygienists would have to be licensed in Alaska if moving from another state. 2:02:29 PM SENATOR ELTON asked if there are reciprocal agreements between Alaska and other states in terms of dental hygienist licensing. MS. WALTON replied that a license for each state must be obtained, but the board for another state would automatically give a hygienist a license if they were already licensed in Alaska. There are some states that don't allow credentials from different licensing boards; a license would be issued based on completion of an accredited program, passing of the regional boards, or licensing in another state. The board would still be able to refuse a license. She explained that the restorative function of the bill would create an efficient oral health care delivery system in a limited amount of time. Local anesthesia has been in Alaska statue since 1981, with history of required disciplinary action. A dentist is still required to diagnose the patient's needs; whether or not the hygienists will be able to administer anesthesia remains at the discretion of the dentist. This bill will be allow for great improvement in dental health services in nursing homes, hospitals, and rural areas; it will reach many individuals needing dental care. Similar programs in other states have been proven safe and effective. 2:06:40 PM RENA BAUER, Faculty Director of the Dental Hygiene Program at the UA Fairbanks campus, said that all hygienists are licensed by the state; each hygienist has to meet a state's particular criteria. She strongly supports the bill which will enhance the UA's ability to attract students. The class of January 2008 will be the first dental hygienist class at the UA Fairbanks. The general supervision of anesthesia will enhance the ability to serve the rural population in the state. She added that the amount of graduates from the UA system is based on the American Dental Association's requirement for a one-to-six student/instructor ratio. 2:10:48 PM SENATOR COWDERY asked how many dentists and hygienists are in rural Alaska, and how more can be attracted. MS. BAUER replied that most hygienists in rural Alaska would be employed by the Alaska Native Medical Center; there are some Anchorage dentists who fly out to rural communities on a regular basis. She added that several states currently allow the restorative hygiene measures proposed by the bill. 2:12:17 PM MR. OBERMEYER referenced an informational packet to show the number of dental hygienists by region in Alaska, which reflects difficulties in the rural areas in terms of population. 2:14:30 PM MIKE BOOTH, president of the Alaska Dental Society (ADS), said that educating rural Alaskans about proper hygiene is one of the greatest challenges facing the state, and dental auxiliary use should be broadened. SB 98 and HB 136 will broaden the scope of duties, but the fast pace of the hearings has hampered necessary discussion. He then suggested several improvements to the bill which will lead to the full support of the ADS, including the categorization of local anesthesia. He added that the UA Anchorage dental hygiene program has the facilities to accommodate many more students, and should receive the funding to do so. 2:18:05 PM JIM TULLE, Executive Director of the ADS, said he was available for questions. ROYANN ROYER, representing herself, explained her work background and said that the expanded functions covered under the bill will increase the number of dental patients served daily. A typical village trip takes about a week, so sending a hygienist ahead of time would allow much more work to be done in a shorter period of time; hygienists possess the education and qualifications for expanded functions, and students could be mentored in these positions. SB 98 could be put into practice immediately. 2:22:57 PM GLENN MARTIN, representing himself, related his dental work experience and said that he strongly supports the bill; collaborative agreement would greatly increase efficiency by identifying need in advance. The dental profession needs to start utilizing its mid-level practitioners. 2:25:54 PM MARY CERNEY, representing herself, related her work history as a dental hygienist, explained the steps and education necessary to practice dental hygiene in the United States, and said that hygienists would have to have an Alaskan license acquired either through examination or endorsement. She added that the bill addresses a health care need in the general population, and would have a profound effect not only on rural but urban towns. SB 98 will improve overall health care in the state, and she encouraged the committee to pass the bill out of committee. 2:31:56 PM DAVID LOGAN, Legislative Chair for the Alaska Dental Society, said that a couple of changes may eventually be needed in the bill but that it should be passed out of the committee. CHAIR DAVIS said that she was unaware of any proposed amendments to the bill. MR. LOGAN explained the changes he wished to see in the bill, including the provision for general anesthetic. 2:34:44 PM NATHAN LUKES, representing himself, expressed his support for the bill and related a personal story about dental hygienists. CHAIR DAVIS said that there appeared to be some confusion regarding changes to the bill, and her intention was to keep it in committee.
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