Bill Text: CT HB05133 | 2016 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: An Act Concerning Dental Assistants.

Spectrum: Committee Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-11 - Public Hearing 02/16 [HB05133 Detail]

Download: Connecticut-2016-HB05133-Introduced.html

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General Assembly		Raised Bill No. 5133
February Session, 2016		LCO No. 606
		*00606_______PH_*
Referred to Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH
Introduced by:
(PH)

AN ACT CONCERNING DENTAL ASSISTANTS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 20-112a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2016):

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Direct supervision" means a licensed dentist has authorized certain procedures to be performed on a patient by a dental assistant with such dentist remaining on-site in the dental office or treatment facility while such procedures are performed and that, prior to the patient's departure from the dental office, such dentist reviews and approves the treatment performed by the dental assistant;

(2) "Dental assistant" means a noncredentialed dental assistant or a credentialed dental assistant;

(3) "Noncredentialed dental assistant" means a person who has (A) completed on-the-job training in dental assisting under the direct supervision, control and responsibility of an employing, licensed dentist, or (B) successfully completed a dental assisting education program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, or (C) successfully completed a dental assistant program that is accredited or recognized by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and (D) met any requirements established by the Commissioner of Public Health; and

(4) "Credentialed dental assistant" means a person who has successfully completed the Dental Assisting National Board's certified dental assistant or certified orthodontic assistant examination and maintains current certification by the Dental Assisting National Board.

(b) A licensed dentist may delegate to [dental assistants] a dental assistant such dental procedures as the dentist may deem advisable, including the taking of dental x-rays if the dental assistant can demonstrate successful completion of the dental [radiography portion of an examination prescribed] radiation health and safety examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board and the taking of impressions of the teeth for study models and fabrication of orthodontic appliances, but such procedures shall be performed under the dentist's direct supervision [and control] and the dentist shall assume responsibility for such procedures; provided [such assistants] a dental assistant may not engage in: (1) Diagnosis for dental procedures or dental treatment; (2) the cutting or removal of any hard or soft tissue or suturing; (3) the prescribing of drugs or medications that require the written or oral order of a licensed dentist or physician; (4) the administration of local, parenteral, inhalation or general anesthetic agents in connection with any dental operative procedure; (5) the taking of any final impression of the teeth or jaws or the relationship of the teeth or jaws for the purpose of fabricating any appliance or prosthesis; (6) the placing, finishing and adjustment of temporary [or final] restorations and long-term individual fillings, capping materials and cement bases; [or] (7) the practice of dental hygiene as defined in section 20-126l; or (8) coronal polishing.

(c) The Commissioner of Public Health, in consultation with the State Dental Commission established under section 20-103a, may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. Such regulations, if adopted, shall include, but need not be limited to, identification of the types of procedures that may be performed by a noncredentialed dental assistant, and a credentialed dental assistant.

(d) The State Dental Commission shall publish on its Internet web site a list of the types of procedures that may be performed by a noncredentialed dental assistant and a credentialed dental assistant. Said commission shall update the list not less than once every three years.

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1	October 1, 2016	20-112a

Statement of Purpose:

To describe the services that dentists may delegate to dental assistants.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]