Bill to allow hygienists to provide on-site services advances

Senators advanced a bill Feb. 11 that would allow dental hygienists to provide certain services in health care facilities.

LB484, introduced by Wilber Sen. Russ Karpisek, would allow dental hygienists to treat children in a public health setting. The treatment is limited to include:
oral prophylaxis;
pulp vitality testing; and
preventive measures, including the application of fluoride, sealants and other agents that prevent oral disease.

A dental hygienist currently must have 3,000 hours of clinical experience in at least four of the five preceding years to provide such treatment.

The bill also would allow a licensed dental hygienist with 3,000 hours of clinical experience to provide such treatments to adults in a health care facility.

“The bill will broaden and extend badly needed dental care to thousands of Nebraskans who do not receive it on a regular basis, and would do so at a modest cost,” Karpisek said.

The bill advanced from general file on a 37-0 vote.