New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation that would allow hygienists to practice without the supervision of a dentist.
Seven notes about the law:
1. Under S03157, hygienists who enter a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed dentist can provide unsupervised services in specific locations, some of which include hospitals, federally qualified health centers and long-term care facilities.
2. Patients would also be allowed to be seen without prior evaluation of a dentist or medical professional.
3. To be eligible for a collaborative practice agreement, hygienists must practice for at least three years and complete a minimum of 4,500 practice hours.
4. Hygienists would also be required to complete a continuing education program that includes instruction in medical emergency procedures, risk management, dental hygiene jurisprudence and professional ethics.
5. Hygienists would only be allowed to hold a collaborative practice agreement with one dentist at a time.
6. Dentists would not be allowed to have more than six collaborative practice agreements at a time.
7. The state legislature passed the bill in June, and Gov. Hochul signed it into law in December.
