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Committee advances broad Dental Practice Act rewrite with expanded functions and hygiene changes
Summary
Representative Dufey’s first substitute to House Bill 372 revises the Dental Practice Act, creates an expanded-functions certification pathway for hygienists and assistants, and tightens definitions to block unlicensed third-party dental practice.
Representative Dufey told the committee she rewrote and updated the Dental Practice Act to reflect modern dental practice, to tighten definitions to prevent unlicensed third parties from providing dental care, and to create an expanded-functions certification for hygienists and dental assistants.
The substitute removes some outdated or contradictory language, loosens certain restrictions on hygienists (for example enabling them to develop hygiene treatment plans and, with further certification, perform additional procedures), and creates an educational and certification pathway for expanded functions such as coronal adhesive removal and certain restorative tasks. The sponsor said the pathway will be overseen by the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) and will require rigorous coursework and certification.
The committee heard extensive public testimony both for and against the substitute. The Utah Dental Hygienists Association said it was “cautiously neutral” pending further clarifications about retraction language, accreditation alignment and qualifications for auxiliaries. Several dentists, dental educators and hygienists spoke in favor of the substitute as a balanced compromise aimed at patient safety and improved workforce flexibility. Other hygienists and educators raised concerns about pathways for unlicensed assistants, adequacy of clinical supervision in school clinics and representation of hygienists on licensing boards.
After debate and testimony, the committee adopted the first substitute and voted unanimously to pass HB 372 with a favorable recommendation.
