Bills › 88th General Assembly
Relating to the regulation of dental hygienists and dental assistants, and the practice of dentistry, and providing administrative penalties
Sponsored by the House Human Resources Committee
Topics:Health care
Where it is now
- Done: IntroducedFebruary 6, 2020
- Skipped: SubcommitteeSkipped
- Done: House committeeMarch 3, 2020
- Done: Passes the HouseMarch 3, 2020
- Skipped: Senate committeeSkipped
- Done: Passes the SenateMarch 4, 202048–0
- Done: To the GovernorMarch 11, 2020
- Done: Signed into lawMarch 12, 2020
Signed into law What’s a funnel?
What’s in it
This bill relates to the practice of dentistry. The bill removes the requirement that services performed by a dental hygienist or dental assistant be performed in a dental office, public or private school, public health agency, hospital, or armed forces. The bill allows the dental board to impose an administrative penalty of up to $500 on licensees, registrants, and trainees who engage in the practice of dentistry or employ a person to engage in the practice of dentistry without the proper license, registration, permit, or qualification, or who fail to meet continuing education requirements.
Read the full explanation
Such administrative penalties are not disciplinary actions, may be contested through a contested case proceeding under Code chapter 17A, and shall be deposited into the general fund of the state. The bill allows a dental assistant with additional training to perform expanded functions and participate in dental radiography. The bill prohibits a dental assistant from placing sealants on teeth unless the dental assistant has completed expanded function training through the university of Iowa college of dentistry or a program accredited by the commission on dental accreditation. The bill prohibits the dental board from adopting rules allowing a dental assistant to administer local anesthesia or remove plaque, stain, calculus, or hard natural material except by use of a toothbrush, floss, or rubber cup coronal polish. The bill repeals a section of the 2000 Iowa Acts reflecting the intent of the general assembly that the board of dental examiners, replaced by the dental board, adopt rules regarding the scope of practice of dental assistants.
Iowa Code it changes
Lobbying
10 for · 1 against · 12 undecided · Who →