More Practice Settings Allowed in State of Pennsylvania

Public health dental hygienists in Pennsylvania will be allowed to practice in a larger number of settings, due to a positive vote on the proposal by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry in September. The change will enable public health dental hygienists to practice in private homes of hospice and home-bound patients, primary care settings, and child-care settings without a dentist present. Pennsylvania public health dental hygienists must have an active license and a minimum of 3,600 hours of practice under the direct supervision of a dentist. The expansion of settings was supported by the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association and other health organizations with the goal of helping vulnerable populations access professional oral health care services. The proposal was opposed by organized dentistry, citing concerns regarding safety and quality of care.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. October 2017;15(10):12.