South Carolina Dental Hygiene Association

Legislation

Agenda for Education Task Force
Focus Group Meeting – Jan. 17, 2003

1. Introduction of topic and individuals by Hal Zorn, SCDA Executive Director. (9:30 – 9:40)
2. Moderator Joe Kyle assumes control of the meeting and introduces the following subjects on which focus group participants are to comment:

• The ADA defines General Supervision – “A dentist is not required to be in the dental office or treatment facility when procedures are being performed by the auxiliary, but has personally diagnosed the condition to be treated, has personally authorized the procedures, and will evaluate the performance of the dental auxiliary.” Do you agree with this definition? (9:40 – 10:10)
• General supervision of personnel within the private dental office. Do you think this is a move that is necessary to help alleviate the dental manpower shortage and better serve the public? (10:10 – 10:40)
• Assistants performing supra-gingival scaling. Do you think allowing this would help the access to care issues in South Carolina? (10:40 – 11:10)
• What specific wants/needs do you have in your practice which are not being met under the Dental Practice Act and existing educational curriculum? (11:10 – 11:40)
• Do dentists and auxiliaries understand what functions auxiliaries can perform under the current Dental Practice Act? (11:40 – Noon)

3. Survey respondents will be dismissed and Education Task Force members will begin evaluating comments and making decisions relative to how wants/needs that have been identified can be resolved in the future.
 

OVERVIEW of DENTAL HYGIENE PRACTICE ACT CHANGES

GENERAL SUPERVISION DEFINED (SECTION 2,B)

Licensed dentist authorizes procedures but does not have to be present when procedures are performed. (Recommend an authorization in writing)

General supervision is not applicable to private practice.

General supervision is applicable to school settings with written permission of the student's parent or guardian.

General supervision is applicable in hospitals, nursing homes, long term care facilities, rural and community clinics, health facilities operated by federal, state, county, or local governments, hospices, education institutions accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation that give instruction in dental hygiene, and in bona fide charitable institutions. Treatment may not occur unless medical emergency care is available in facility. (CPR must be current.) Not required in schools.

TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN ANY OF THESE SETTINGS UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION, PERMISSION MUST BE GRANTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF OF THE FACILITIES.

Section 1 (D) The law is the same as before BUT

The Healthy Schools of South Carolina Task Force is in the process of developing requirements for calibration and standardization of screening protocol that will be mandatory in all public schools. (SCDHA will notify members of requirements of protocol)

 Who is the dental hygienist?

Registered dental hygienists are licensed, formally educated, oral health care professionals who specialize in providing preventive oral health services. Such services include cleaning teeth to prevent gum disease, taking x-rays, providing nutrition and dietary counseling, providing fluoride treatments, and applying sealants. They are also specially trained to screen for signs of oral disease and to educate patients on maintaining optimal oral health.

 What is general supervision?

General supervision allows a registered dental  hygienist to perform dental hygiene services for a client without the physical  presence of a licensed dentist in the facility.

 Is general supervision safe?

	Yes, 35 other states (70%) permit dental hygienists to treat patients under the general supervision of the dentist in every treatment setting. 44 states(88%) allow general supervision in institutional or public settings.
	General supervision does NOT increase the cost of dental hygiene liability insurance.
	NO other South Carolina licensed professional must have their supervisor physically present when performing authorized services.

 
How does it help the public?

General supervision allows the dental team’s preventive professional in places where preventive services are needed most: public health clinics, nursing homes, schools, charitable institutions, and hospitals. These are settings where dentists rarely practice full time.

 Why is better access to preventive oral health services important in South Carolina?

Almost every SC child (97%) has had tooth decay by the age of 17, and 64% of our children have unmet dental needs compared to 19% nationally.

	In 1996, oral problems were the #1 reason children in SC missed school.
	Dental caries is the major cause of tooth loss in children and periodontal (gum) disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults.
	South Carolina has the highest rate in the nation for deaths from oral cancer, frequently detectable during routine dental hygiene care.
	Poor oral health is linked to other serious diseases–  pre-term babies, heart disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
	South Carolina has thousands of elderly individuals living in nursing homes, residential care facilities, or being cared for by family members. Many factors affect their ability to receive preventive oral health care, some of which include: transportation, costs associated with transportation, time missed from work by caregivers, and the disorientation associated with leaving their familiar surroundings.