Baresville, In. — A bill sponsored by Republican state senator Jean Leising to expand dental hygienists’ access to practice recently passed the Senate by a vote of 49 to 0.
House Enrolled Act 1116 would allow a dental hygienist to practice dental hygiene without supervision under an access practice agreement with an access practice dentist. The access practice dentist would be available for emergency communication and consultation.
“Many people in Indiana, such as our elderly population, do not have access to necessary dental care,” Leising said. “This bill, however, would expand the care dental hygienists can provide, increasing the number of people who can give Indiana residents the dental care they need. The hygienists would be able to provide services in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.”
Under the bill, a consent form would have to be signed before a dental hygienist could provide services, and the hygienist would have to maintain malpractice liability insurance.
HEA 1116 will now be considered by Gov. Eric Holcomb
