Legislature(2007 - 2008)SENATE FINANCE 532
04/07/2008 09:00 AM Senate FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB231 | |
| HB319 | |
| HB419 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 231 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 419 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 319 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 319(L&C)
"An Act relating to the practice of dentistry, to
dental assistants, and to dental hygienists."
REPRESENTATIVE JAY RAMRAS, Sponsor, explained that HB 319
continues the responsible exporting of dentistry across
Alaska, particularly in the rural areas. Oral hygiene is
critical and contributes to the health and nutritional
benefits of an individual.
JANE PIERSON, STAFF, REPRESENTATIVE JAY RAMRAS, related the
details of the bill:
· Oral health plays a key role in overall health.
Unfortunately not all Alaskan's enjoy good dental
health due to geographical barriers, cost of dental
care and limitations on dental personnel.
· HB 319 follows the provisions allowing for expanded
duties of dental hygienist and dental assistants
improving access to dental care and reducing costs
for dental care.
· With expanded duties, dental hygienist, dental
assistants and dentists can provide greater access
and more costs effective care.
· This bill specifically lays the framework for
expanding dental assistant's duties for two specific
procedures. It would allow a certified dental
assistant, under a dentist's direct supervision to
place fillings into a cavity prepared by a licensed
dentist. And allows a certified dental assistant,
under a dentist's direct supervision, to polish teeth
that are already clean of tarter. These expanded
duties are already permitted in 36 other states.
· Includes under a dental hygienists' scope of practice
the ability to obtain a restorative function
endorsement permitting placement of a filling into a
cavity prepared by a licensed dentist and perform the
activities authorized under a collaborative agreement
with licensed dentist.
· Authorizes a licensed dental hygienist to administer
local anesthetic agents under the general supervision
of a licensed dentist. Sixteen other states have
variations of these provisions in place.
· Authorizes the Dental Board to approve a
collaborative agreement between a licensed dentist
and a licensed dental hygienist and specifies the
services and procedures allowed under a collaborative
agreement.
· Applies supervision requirements to a dental
hygienist operation in conjunction with a licensed
dentist under a collaborative agreement.
· Dental assistants who perform expanded duties of
packing cavities or polishing teeth will have to pass
a training program and an exam prior to becoming
eligible for certification by the Alaska Dental
Board. Furthermore, the supervising dentist must
personally authorize the procedure and examine the
patient afterwards.
· This bill is supported by the Alaska Dental Society,
Alaska Board of Dental Examiners, Alaska State Dental
Hygienist Association, Alaska Dental Outreach
Consortium and the Alaska Native Tribal Health
Consortium.
· Oral health plays a key role in overall health.
Untreated dental problems can cause pain, effect
nutrition, and influence quality of life. This bill
will increase the efficiency of delivering dental
while upholding the quality of that care.
9:29:40 AM
Co-Chair Stedman summarized that the bill would improve the
lack of dental services in rural areas. Ms. Pierson said it
would have a positive effect in both rural and urban Alaska
because it would expand the practices done by both
assistants and hygienists. Co-Chair Stedman asked if any
groups oppose the bill. Ms. Pierson said none that she knew
of.
Senator Thomas praised the combining of two bills into one
and suggested that the bill would also provide a career
track for dental assistants. He reported that there was not
opposition to the bill in previous committees.
Senator Huggins pointed out that the bill talks about
"direct supervision" and "indirect supervision", but not
about "general supervision". Ms. Pierson explained that
general supervision would be supervision where a dentist
would not have to be present to directly oversee the
procedure.
9:31:20 AM
Senator Olson asked how many dental hygienists there are in
rural Alaska. Ms. Pierson deferred to the Alaska Dental
Society to answer. Co-Chair Stedman said he had a list that
shows that information.
Senator Olson questioned if "direct supervision" means that
the dentist is present and supervising injections. Ms.
Pierson said that is correct. Senator Olson asked if there
had been any problems with local anesthesia in the past.
Ms. Pierson deferred to others to answer.
9:33:11 AM
PETE HIGGINS, PRESIDENT, ALASKA DENTAL SOCIETY, testified in
support of HB 319. He pointed out that the legislation
would help dentists in urban areas take on more Medicaid
patients. He addressed the question about hygienists
administering anesthetics. He said they are currently able
to if they pass the test, but dental assistants would not be
able to. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that more
patients receive dental services. Other states already have
this in place.
9:35:26 AM
ROYANN ROYER, CHUGIAK, testified in support of HB 319. She
listed her vast experience in the dental field. She
advocated for the legislation based on personal experience
delivering dental care in rural areas. She maintained that
the legislation would lead to more people being treated.
She noted this service is practiced in many other states.
9:37:28 AM
GAIL WALDEN, DENTAL HYGIENIST, WASILLA, testified in support
of HB 319. She pointed out that hygienists have been
administering anesthesia in Alaska since 1981. She reported
that there have never been any disciplinary actions against
the hygienists.
9:39:06 AM
DAVID LOGAN, DENTIST, LEGISLATIVE CHAIR, ALASKA DENTAL
SOCIETY, spoke in support of HB 319. It will help provide
more services in rural and underserved areas of Alaska. He
clarified the three different types of supervision.
"Direct" means that the dentist is in the facility and sees
the patient before and after the procedure. "Indirect"
means the dentist has seen the patient before the procedure,
but does not necessarily see them afterwards. "General"
means that dentist has diagnosed the condition and is not in
the facility at the time.
Co-Chair Stedman noted one fiscal note by the Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development.
Representative Ramras reported that the intent of the bill
is to do no harm. The work would be done under appropriate
supervision.
Senator Olson MOVED to REPORT SCS CSHB 319(HES) out of
Committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note. There being NO OBJECTION, it was
so ordered.
SCS CSHB 319(HES) was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do
pass" recommendation and with indeterminate fiscal note #2
by the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development.
9:42:41 AM
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