Legislation

 

Documents:

Changes to License renewal and Continuing Education Regulations

The Time is Right for an Independent Dental Hygiene Bureau to Protect the Interest of California Consumers (PDF)

 

CDHA to launch new legislation in 2005

Exciting news from the California Dental Hygienists' Association! After more than a decade of discussion, the CDHA will be introducing legislation to create a fully independent California Dental Hygiene Board. As most of you know, many allied health professions have their own regulatory board in this state. This legislation means that dental hygienists and consumers would oversee the licensure, education, practice and disciplinary actions for California dental hygienists, not the current Dental Board of California. CDHA is quick to point out that this is not a declaration of independence by dental hygienists. Dentists will still lead the oral health care team and supervise the practice of dental hygiene in this state as they do now.

The California legislature is already backing the concept of a fully autonomous dental hygiene board. In 2002, SB 1955 was passed and signed by the governor, declaring the future intent of the legislature to form this new dental hygiene board. Legislation will be introduced in 2005 to continue the current Dental Board of California to oversee the practice of dentistry and registered dental assistants, as well as create a new California Dental Hygiene Board to oversee the practice of dental hygiene in this state.

CDHA has already met once with the California Dental Association (CDA) to discuss the bill language for this new board and has offered to meet again to collaboratively work together to address any questions or concerns. CDHA president Michelle Hurlbutt attended this recent meeting with the CDA, "It was interesting to learn that many dentists believe California dental hygienists would be unwilling to pay higher licensure renewal fees to support a separate and independent dental hygiene board responsible for regulating the practice of dental hygiene. This comment is certainly inconsistent with the information CDHA has heard from members and nonmembers alike."

Do you believe that dental hygienists by virtue of their education, practice and expertise are best suited to regulate the profession of dental hygiene? Or do you feel that the practice of dental hygiene should continue to be regulated by a Dental Board comprised primarily of dentists?

Would you be willing to pay more in renewal fees to have a Dental Hygiene Board regulate our profession? The new fee has not yet been established, but in looking at other allied health professions in this state who are regulated by an independent board, renewal fees range from about $50.00 to $130.00 per year, while professions such as dentistry and medicine range from about $185 to $305 per year.

Your thoughts are important to us! We would love to hear from you! Contact us at: opinion@cdha.org and let us know how you feel about a California Dental Hygiene Board!

 

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