New Supervisors for Dental Hygienists

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) A dental hygienist usually consults with his or her boss when working with a patient. A new bill would allow a hygienist to consult with any dentist, not just the employer. Some Utah lawmakers have a problem with this, including Democratic Senator Brent Goodfellow:

"I would like to see a direct relationship between the dentist and the hygienist. I think the relationship needs to be a pretty close relationship rather than just a consulting relationship."

Monty Thompson of the Utah Dental Association says that before the bill is passed, more people need to have a say-so:

"We should involve the Utah Health Care Association and ask them why, under federal law, when it's required to have dentists consulting in all those facilities. And that's not happening."

Thompson says there are at least four or five other parties beside dentists and hygienists who should give their consent. A legislative committee says the bill needs more work before it's goes to the floor.

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