House Bill 4077 (Relating to activities that may be performed by a dental hygienist without a prior exam by a dentist) was signed by Governor Tomblin. This bill will allow dental hygienists to place dental sealants on patients’ teeth without first having to have a dental examination by a licensed dentist. The bill further requires that the hygienist must have a public health practice permit, be a party to a collaborative agreement with a dentist and refer the patient for a dental exam within six months. The bill was amended in the House Health Committee by replacing “Placing sealants on a patient’s teeth without a prior examination by a licensed dentist;” with the following language: “A dental hygienist with a Public Health Practice permit issued by the West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners, and under a collaborative agreement with a supervising dentist, may apply dental sealants without a prior examination by the dentist, provided the patient is referred for a dental examination within six months of sealant application.”
House Bill 4098 (providing a loan forgiveness program for dentists and hygienists) did not pass this year. This bill would have provided a loan forgiveness program for dentists and hygienists similar to what currently exists for medical doctors and osteopathic physicians. In the House Health Committee, the bill was amended to change the cancelable loan amounts from “$5,000” to “up to $10,000.”
"Healthy Children, Healthy Smiles," produced by WV Partners for Oral Health featuring Gina Sharps, RDH, MPH, Regional Oral Health Coordinator, Marshall University.
