The Utah Legislature recently passed a bill allowing hygienists to practice at hospitals without general supervision from a dentist. Hygienists in Utah are currently authorized to practice in certain public health settings without dentist supervision, including residences, schools, nursing homes,…
Staffing Issues
Dental leaders are considering alternative ways to bring more dental assistants into the state after one of only two dental assistant programs in the state paused its enrollment, NBC affiliate WCYB reported March 11. Mountain Empire Community College said earlier…
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association plans to focus on advancing hygiene as an autonomous, prevention-driven profession. The organization outlined several initiatives as part of its 2026-28 Strategic Plan March 11. Five notes: 1. The organization’s strategic plan is organized into…
Children are increasingly visiting hospital emergency departments nationwide for dental issues amid shrinking access to pediatric dental care, KFF Health News reported March 10. Five notes: 1. ED visits for dental issues unrelated to physical trauma increased by 57.9% among…
Virginia recently enacted two staffing bills related to dental assistants and hygienists. Four notes: 1. SB 282 creates a licensure pathway for internationally educated dentists to become hygienists. 2. HB 970 allows a dental assistant with 1,800 hours of clinical…
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Dental industry jobs are among the roles most likely to include a signing bonus, according to a Feb. 26 report from Indeed’s Hiring Lab. The Hiring Lab reported that signing bonus offers remain above pre-pandemic levels despite declines in recent…
A bill in the Idaho House of Representatives aims to expand the scope of practice for dental hygienists in the state. House Bill 805 allows dental hygienists to perform all dental services within the hygienist’s education, training and experience, as…
Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed legislation March 3 that creates a pathway for foreign-trained dentists to obtain a hygienist license. Three notes: 1. House Bill 1254 allows dentists who graduated from dental schools outside of the U.S. and have earned…
A bill that would authorize the creation of dental therapists in Florida has been postponed by the Florida Senate, according to a March 3 report from Florida Politics. The Florida House of Representatives passed House Bill 363 in an 80-29…
Oklahoma legislators are considering a bill to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. The Dentist & Dental Hygienist Compact is one of two initiatives aimed at improving license portability for dentists and dental hygienists between participating states. The DDHC…