Staffing issues are being addressed at the state and federal level as states look to increase accessibility, and one federal lawmaker targets a visa bill.
Eight updates to know:
1. U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., introduced the Ending Exploitative Imported Labor Exemptions Act, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to end the H-1B program that allows employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specific occupations, including educators and healthcare workers.
2. The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill authorizing the creation of dental therapists in the state.
3. Virginia’s SB178 would allow dental assistants to earn certification as a preventive dental assistant, with authorization to perform certain services and duties under dentist supervision. Another bill, SB282, would create a licensure pathway for internationally educated dentists to become hygienists.
4. The New Mexico House of Representatives passed legislation to join the Dentist & Dental Hygienist Compact.
5. The Indiana House passed a bill to create a pathway for foreign-trained dentists to obtain a hygienist license.
6. Missouri Sen. Ben Brown filed legislation for the state to join the Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact.
7. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to allow hygienists to practice without the supervision of a dentist.
8. Maine Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio introduced a bill to expand the scope of practice for independent dental hygienists.
