North Carolina proposal would let dental hygienists practice without supervision

On Dec. 13, the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners approved a proposal that would allow dental hygienists to provide care for patients who haven't met the prior exam requirement, NBC affiliate WECT reports.

The prior exam rule requires a prior dental examination within 120 days for patients receiving care from public health programs. The North Carolina Division of Public Health recommends individuals visit the dentist twice a year, yet local groups providing care to dental shortage areas say the "prior exam rule" inhibits that possibility.

William Donigan, DDS, dental director for Gastonia, N.C.-based Gaston Family Health Services, told WECT the proposed rule changes are "vital" to North Carolina communities. The revision would allow dentists to provide dental hygienists with written orders so they could serve the community in mobile dental units, Dr. Donigan said.

The proposal is expected to be addressed by the Rules Review Commission in January. If approved, the rule could go into effect as early as February 2020.

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