KDHA Legislative Update
The KY Board of Dentistry, KY Dental Association, KY Dental Hygienists' Association, KY Academy of General Dentistry, University of Louisville Dental School, University of Kentucky Dental School and the Department for Public Health began working on this bill in early 2009.
The goal was to make the antiquated and out of date Dental Practice Act more user friendly for dental professionals and increase access to care for citizens of KY.
House Bill 256 Summary:
- Reorganizes the current dental practice act into a more uniform and easily understood law
- Adds ex-officio members to the board- the dental and dental hygiene schools and KY Public Health Dept
- Adds an additional RDH member to board
- Allows RDH's to place sealants, fluoride tx, OHI and nutritional counseling without the supervision of a dentist in a volunteer community health setting
- Creates a Public Health Dental Hygienist who must work for a public health dept under KY Public Health Dept protocols and may work without the supervision of a dentist
- Sets higher standards for those desiring placement on the board
- Clearly defines responsibilities of the executive director
- Clearly defines the role of dental auxiliary
- Strengthens the disciplinary section
- Clearly defines the complaint resolution process
- Clearly defines the sanctions for discipline
Please click here for printable copy of HB summary
Any questions or thoughts, please contact Donna Ruley at kyruley@bellsouth.net
Thank you for your continued interest in the advancement of dental hygiene in Kentucky.
