Relating to the authority of a dental hygienist to provide services in certain facilities.
If enacted, SB97 would significantly modify the ways dental care is administered in Texas, especially in settings where dental resources may be scarce. By facilitating the delegation of duties, the bill is expected to streamline patient care processes and reduce the burden on dentists by allowing them to focus on more complex procedures while dental hygienists carry out routine services. This could improve overall patient outcomes and increase efficiency in delivering dental care, especially in long-term care and community health environments.
Senate Bill 97 aims to expand the authority of licensed dental hygienists to provide specific dental services in various healthcare settings beyond traditional dental offices. This includes nursing facilities, community health centers, Head Start programs, and school-based health centers. The bill allows dentists to delegate certain tasks to qualified dental hygienists, which is designed to improve access to dental care for patients in these facilities, particularly underserved communities that may have limited access to dentists.
There are potential points of contention regarding SB97, primarily centered around the quality of care and patient safety. Opponents of the bill may express concerns about the adequacy of training and experience for dental hygienists in performing delegated tasks, especially in settings that require a higher level of oversight. While proponents argue that the experience requirement of at least two years for dental hygienists addresses this, discussions around the balance of ensuring proper supervision and patient safety versus increasing access to care are likely to be a key focus in legislative debates.