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Dental commission presses for oversight as legislature adds CE, expands scope for assistants and hygienists
Summary
The Connecticut Dental Commission questioned House Bills 5399 and 5303 and discussed a proposed expansion of mandatory continuing-education requirements, new national practical exams and draft law changes that could allow assistants to take X-rays and hygienists to work in private residences, raising concerns about oversight, infection control and scope of practice.
The Connecticut Dental Commission on its regular meeting recapped legislative proposals and regulatory changes that members say merit closer review. Commissioners discussed House Bill 5399, which would add separate mandatory continuing-education courses (including one on human trafficking and one on care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities), and House Bill 5303, which would allow dental hygienists to provide services in private residences or operate from private-residence locations.
The commission said those measures, together with a draft of a new dental practice act, could expand required continuing-education hours from 10 to 12 over a two-year period and change supervision and scope rules for staff. “The legislature decided to make it a separate course” rather than allow the commission and the Connecticut State Dental Association (CSDA) to incorporate material into existing classes, the chair said, adding that both the commission and CSDA had argued to keep course coordination within professional bodies.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the changes could affect patient safety and practitioners’ workload. Members urged clearer statutory language and a stronger role for the commission and CSDA in designing mandatory courses so that content and timing are practical for practicing dentists.
Key details: The commission encouraged members to observe or serve as examiners for the new ADEX/Adex practical examination — a national practical exam that uses a synthetic tooth with simulated decay so students can be evaluated without live patients. The chair noted some states (including New York and Delaware for some licenses) still do not accept the ADEX practical exam.
On scope of practice, the commission highlighted two draft changes appearing in the rewritten dental practice act: allowing certified dental assistants to take digital X-rays when a dentist is not physically present in the office, and permitting properly trained dentists to perform cosmetic injections, such as Botox or fillers. The chair said the assistant X-ray change would let an assistant take a digital image and transmit it to a dentist’s phone for remote review; the commission noted training and radiology certification would be required.
Concerns about home-based hygiene: Members raised multiple concerns about HB 5303’s ambiguity and potential risks if hygienists treat patients in private residences. “There’s no room, there’s no dental chair,” one member said, questioning how infection-control safeguards, suction and lighting would be provided and who would oversee compliance. Another commissioner noted that the bill’s wording could be read two ways — visits to patient homes or establishment of offices in private residences — and called for the Department of Public Health to review the proposal before any statutory change is enacted.
Next steps: The commission appointed a member to coordinate with the CSDA and report back on mandatory-course implementation and guidance for practitioners. Members said they will continue to monitor HB 5399 and HB 5303 and, if necessary, request DPH review to clarify oversight and safety requirements.
