Tennessee House Bill HB1679

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/24
• Refer: 1/10/24
• Refer: 1/30/24
• Refer: 2/7/24
• Chaptered: 3/19/24
• Passed: 3/19/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-5-108, relative to the number of dental hygienists supervised by a dentist.

Impact

The bill is expected to have a significant impact on healthcare delivery within the state, specifically in how dental services are rendered in various settings. By allowing dentists to supervise more hygienists under specific conditions, particularly in nonprofit mobile clinics or health department settings, the bill aims to improve access to dental care for underserved populations. This could potentially enhance service delivery in areas with high demand and limited resources.

Summary

House Bill 1679 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 63-5-108, relating to the supervision of dental hygienists by dentists. The bill introduces provisions that allow for different supervision rules depending on the context in which the dental hygienists are working. Specifically, it restricts general supervision to no more than three dental hygienists at a time, but allows more under certain conditions, such as direct supervision during volunteer services.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1679 appears to be generally supportive among stakeholders who prioritize increasing access to dental care. Proponents argue that the bill creates a balanced approach to supervision that will facilitate volunteer services and improve public health outcomes. However, there may be concerns regarding the quality of care and oversight that could arise from increasing the number of hygienists supervised under different conditions.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the implications of increased supervision ratios. Opponents might argue that altering supervision limits could lead to compromised quality of care and oversight, particularly in less-monitored environments like mobile clinics. The discussion around the balance between enhancing service provision and ensuring adequate supervision reflects ongoing debates in public health policy about how best to serve vulnerable populations while maintaining high standards of care.