Board of Dentistry rule relating to expanded duties of dental hygienists and dental assistants
The approval of SB360 will likely facilitate a broader range of services that dental hygienists and dental assistants can provide, potentially increasing access to oral healthcare for residents. By delineating these expanded duties, the bill aims to optimize the utilization of dental professionals, thereby improving efficiency within dental practices. However, it could also raise questions about the necessary training and qualifications for hygienists and assistants to take on these new responsibilities, ensuring quality standards remain high in patient care.
Senate Bill 360 (SB360) introduced in West Virginia, aims to authorize the Board of Dentistry to establish legislative rules that define expanded duties for dental hygienists and dental assistants. This bill modifies an existing regulation concerning the scope of practice for these professionals, indicating a move to enhance their roles within dental practices. The legislative rule in question had undergone revisions to address concerns raised by the Legislative Rule-Making Review Committee before being refilled in the State Register, highlighting the state's regulatory oversight and responsiveness to feedback from stakeholders.
The overall sentiment surrounding SB360 appears to be supportive among dental professionals who see the potential for expanded roles as beneficial both for their career development and for patient care. Nonetheless, concerns may arise regarding the qualifications needed to perform additional duties, as well as ensuring that patient safety remains paramount. Stakeholders may have differing views on how far the expansion of responsibilities should go, especially regarding complex procedures historically limited to dentists.
Potential points of contention may include debates over the balance of responsibilities between dental hygienists, assistants, and dentists. There could be discussions on the specific duties that should be assigned to non-dentist professionals, particularly those that might impact patient outcomes. Moreover, scrutiny over regulatory measures could arise, questioning whether the expanded duties would maintain the integrity of dental practices and patient safety across the state.