Committee advances dental scope bill allowing facial cosmetic injections and remote x‑ray supervision amid safety questions

The Public Health committee approved House Bill 5399, which would expand dental practice rules to allow dentists to administer Botox and dermal fillers in the face, permit dental assistants to take x‑rays under dentist supervision when the dentist is offsite, and add human‑trafficking and intellectual/developmental‑disability care to possible continuing education topics.

Supporters said the changes reflect current clinical practice in many settings and the availability of remote imaging technology that lets dentists review x‑rays offsite. Senator Raman and others noted the substitute language clarified that cosmetic injections would be limited to the face and that dental assistants would remain under supervisory orders from dentists.

Opponents cautioned that scope‑of‑practice reviews had not reached unanimous conclusions and that continuing‑education changes should not automatically require every dentist to take specific training; Representative Demo noted the S language adds the ID community topic to the broader list but does not mandate universal training. Concerns were also raised about whether cosmetic injections require additional training beyond current dental education and whether rare but serious complications could exceed dentists’ training in some offices.

The committee recorded votes and advanced the bill; sponsors said they will continue conversations with dental, medical and surgical stakeholders to refine training and safety safeguards.

What’s next: sponsors plan to continue stakeholder discussions on training standards and scope review findings before the bill reaches the floor.