Several states have introduced or passed legislation affecting dental hygiene as workforce shortages continue and the profession evolves.
Nine legislative updates so far in 2026:
1. The Utah Legislature 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, assisted living facilities, community health centers, FQHCs and mobile dental health programs. House Bill 414 modifies the definition of public health setting to include a hospital, allowing hygienists to practice at these facilities independently.
2. Virginia passed a bill that creates a licensure pathway for internationally educated dentists to become hygienists. While several dentists supported the bill as a way for offices to see more patients and alleviate workforce pressures, hygienists opposed it due to potential risks of patient harm. Hygienists also argued that the bill simplifies the role of a hygienist.
3. Idaho House Bill 805 would allow hygienists to perform all dental services within the hygienist’s education, training and experience, as well as services delegated to the hygienist by a supervising dentist. Currently, supervising dentists largely determine hygienists’ scope of practice.
4. Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed legislation March 3 that creates a pathway for foreign-trained dentists to obtain a hygienist license. Those seeking hygiene licensure must submit academic transcripts to the Indiana State Board of Dentistry for review and meet all other licensure requirements, including passing exams administered by a board-approved entity.
5. Oklahoma legislators are considering a bill to join the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact in an effort to improve license portability for dentists and hygienists between participating states.
6. The New Mexico House of Representatives passed legislation to join the Dentist & Dental Hygienist Compact.
7. Missouri Sen. Ben Brown filed legislation for the state to join the Dental and Dental Hygienist Compact.
8. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to allow hygienists to practice without the supervision of a dentist. 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, FQHCs and long-term care facilities. Patients would also be allowed to be seen without prior evaluation of a dentist or medical professional.
9. Maine Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio introduced a bill to expand the scope of practice for independent dental hygienists. If passed, the bill would allow independent hygienists to administer local anesthesia or nitrous oxide analgesia as long as they have the appropriate licensure authority.
