Changes to Supervision Requirements May Ease Access-To-Care Problems in Rural NC
Rural North Carolina has a significant access-to-oral-health-care problem with three counties—Camden, Hyde, and Tyrrell—without a practicing dentist for more than 10 years, and more than 50 counties with noted dentist shortages.
Rural North Carolina has a significant access-to-oral-health-care problem with three counties—Camden, Hyde, and Tyrrell—without a practicing dentist for more than 10 years, and more than 50 counties with noted dentist shortages. In addition, per 2016 data, less than 30% of North Carolina dentists accept patients covered by Medicaid. The state is ranked number 37 in the United States for its access to dentists. Recent legislative changes in the state may help ease this crisis.
On January 16, the North Carolina Rules Review Commission made changes to allow dental hygienists to treat patients without direct supervision in areas with dental-provider shortages. Dental hygienists can perform prophylaxes and other preventive, reversible procedures with a dentist’s order but without the presence of a dentist. In high-need areas, dentists can now supervise more than two dental hygienists, as well. In December 2019, the rule change was approved unanimously by the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners. The rule change will take effect on February 1.
From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. February 2020;18(2):13.
