Mixed Results in 2021 Legislative Action

One of the hottest trends in dental hygiene has been the push to improve access to care in the US by expanding the scope of what dental hygienists can do under the law. That movement has been more successful over the past year in some states than in others:

Oregon passed a bill in June permitting the practice of dental therapists, as long as they dedicate at least 51% of practice to patients who represent underserved populations or practice in dental health professional shortage areas.

Wisconsin's Senate unanimously passed a bill last April to allow dental therapists with certain qualifications, according to the Wisconsin State Journal, and the bill was in the Assembly as of early January.

North Carolina passed a bill in July to become one of the last states to allow dental hygienists to administer local dental anesthesia.

In Illinois, hygienists are permitted to take X-rays, place sealants, and apply fluoride for patients on Medicaid or without insurance in public health settings without a dentist on-site, but a proposal in 2021 to expand the scope to include nursing homes, prisons, and mobile dental vans did not make it out of committee, according to the Chicago Tribune.