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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski |
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House passes Pashinski dental assistants bill
HARRISBURG, Feb. 12 – State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, said the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a bill he introduced that would enhance the scope of practice for expanded function dental assistants and provide certification for dental assistants.
Pashinski's legislation (H.B. 1257) would allow the State Board of Dentistry to certify dental assistants. To become certified, dental assistants would be required to complete 3,500 hours of training under a dentist's supervision, possess a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification and pass an examination. Once certified, a dental assistant would be able to perform fluoride treatments and take impressions of teeth for athletic appliances.
In addition, the expanded function dental assistant's scope of practice would now include polishing teeth, fluoride treatments and taking impressions of teeth for athletic appliances.
"I am continually working with House Democratic leadership to improve our health-care system and provide access to quality care for all Pennsylvanians," Pashinski said. "My legislation would expand the duties of dental assistants so they could not only assist licensed dentists but also perform services on their own, such as polishing teach and and providing fluoride treatment to patients. This would make these services available to many more children and adults."
Last year, the governor signed legislation introduced by Pashinski that created the position of public health dental hygiene practitioner in Pennsylvania. Public health dental hygiene practitioners are allowed to offer expanded routine dental services for school children and senior citizens in nursing homes in Pennsylvania. They are also able to perform dental services such as radiological procedures, teeth cleaning and filling.
Pashinski's bill will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
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