HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1977
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO DENTAL ASSISTANTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to allow dental assistants to perform limited, essential duties under the general supervision of a dentist in public health settings.

SECTION 2. Chapter 448, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§448-    Supervision in public health settings. (a) A dental assistant may operate under the supervision of any licensed dentist providing support dental services in a public health setting.

(b) General supervision shall be permitted in a public health setting; provided that:

(1) The supervising licensed dentist is available for consultation;

(2) The dental assistant is working directly with a licensed dental hygienist; and

(3) The supervising licensed dental hygienist is under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

(c) A dental assistant working under the general supervision of a licensed dentist and the direct supervision of a licensed dental hygienist who is under the supervision of a licensed dentist may perform the following supportive dental procedures:

(1) Taking intra-oral and extra-oral photographs, and recording or charting clinical findings as directed by the licensed dental hygienist;

(2) Exposing, processing, mounting, and labeling radiographs;

(3) Measuring and recording vital signs;

(4) Assisting the licensed dental hygienist who is performing a dental procedure on a patient, such as:

(A) Preparing procedural trays and armamentaria;

(B) Retracting a patient's oral tissues to maintain the field of operation during a dental procedure;

(C) Removing debris, as is normally created and accumulated during or after dental procedures by the dental hygienist; and

(D) Transferring dental instruments or any other concept of four-handed dentistry the dental hygienist requires to perform the procedure; and

(5) Assisting the licensed dental hygienist in the performance of the duties of the dental hygienist as requested; provided that the assistance does not include procedures listed in Hawaii Administrative Rules, sections 16-79-69.5 and 16-79-69.10;

provided that the dental assistant, licensed dental hygienist, and licensed dentist are providing dental services in a public health setting.

(d) The supervising licensed dentist shall be responsible for all delegated acts performed by the dental assistant.

(e) As used in this section, "public health setting" has the same meaning as defined in section 447-3."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2060.

Report Title:

Dental Assistants; Public Health Settings; General Supervision; Dentists

Description:

Allows dental assistants to perform limited duties under general supervision of a dentist in public health settings. Effective 7/1/2060. (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.