Assigned to HHS FOR COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2639
dental assistants; education
Purpose
Authorizes dental assistants who have passed an applicable continuing dental education
course recognized by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (BODEX) to expose
radiographs for dental diagnostic purposes or polish teeth, under the supervision of a dentist or
dental hygienist.
Background
BODEX is the regulatory body that oversees the licensing and practice of dental care in
Arizona. BODEX's duties include: 1) adopting and enforcing rules to regulate the practice of
dentists, supervised personnel and registered business entities; 2) maintaining a record of
BODEX's acts and proceedings, including issuance, denial, renewal and suspension of licenses
and complaints; 3) establishing a standard of educational requirements, as prescribed;
4) determining the reputability of dental, dental therapy and dental hygiene schools; 5) issuing
licenses and restricted permits to eligible persons; 6) investigating misconduct charges of licensees
and those with restricted permits; 7) issuing disciplinary action against licensees, certificate
holders and restricted permittees; 8) establishing criteria for the renewal of permits relating to
general anesthesia and sedation; and 9) any other duties necessary to enforce the regulation of the
dental profession (A.R.S. § 32-1207).
Current statute allows dental assistants to expose radiographs for dental diagnostic
purposes, under the general supervision of a dentist or the direct supervision of a dental hygienist,
if the dental assistant has passed a BODEX-approved examination. Similarly, dental assistants
may polish the natural and restored surfaces of teeth under the general supervision of a dentist or
the direct supervision of a dental hygienist, if the dental assistant has passed a BODEX-approved
examination (A.R.S. § 32-1291).
A dental assistant is any person who acts as an assistant to a dentist, dental therapist or
dental hygienist by rendering personal services to a patient that involve close proximity to the
patient while the patient is under treatment or observation or undergoing diagnostic procedures
(A.R.S. § 32-1201).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows dental assistants who have passed a BODEX-recognized continuing dental education
course on exposing radiographs to expose radiographs for dental diagnostic purposes, under
the supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist. FACT SHEET
S.B. 2639
Page 2
2. Allows dental assistants who have passed a BODEX-recognized continuing dental education
course on coronal polishing to polish natural and restored surfaces of teeth, under the
supervision of a dentist or dental hygienist.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
RA 1/24/24 DP 6-0-0-0
3
rd
Read 2/6/24 41-14-2-0-3
Prepared by Senate Research
February 23, 2024
MM/slp