Government Relations
Regulatory Update
In the fall , the State Board of Dentistry ( SBOD ) voted 6-4 to proceed with regulations expanding Public Health Dental Hygiene Practitioner ( PHDHP ) practice site locations to include child care settings , physician offices , and residences of homebound and hospice patients . PDA opposed the regulations over concerns about patient safety and the need to ensure that patients receive comprehensive diagnoses and treatment from dentists .
Prior to the SBOD meeting , PDA ’ s lobbyist and staff met with staff for the House Professional Licensure Committee ( HPLC ) to discuss concerns about expanding practice locations for PHDHPs . The HPLC , along with the Governor ’ s Policy Office and Independent Review Commission ( IRRC ), are tasked with reviewing licensing boards ’ regulations , and they play an instrumental role before regulations are finalized and enacted .
HPLC staff took note of PDA ’ s concerns about the PHDHP referral process with dentists and the need for dentists to provide comprehensive care . PDA will continue to lobby HPLC members and staff , as well as the SBOD , Governor ’ s Policy Office and IRRC as the regulations move through the regulatory process .
It may take two or more years before regulations are enacted , so PDA will use every opportunity to amend the draft , with particular attention paid to the referral process , scope of practice in these settings , the role of physicians and liability . PDA ’ s Government Relations Committee and Access to Oral Health Advisory Group are advising the Board of Trustees on issues such as the adequacy of current educational and training requirements for PHDHPs and whether additional requirements are needed to ensure patient safety and appropriate standards of care .
Please contact PDA ’ s government relations staff at ( 800 ) 223-0016 , or mss @ padental . org , with any questions or concerns .
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 9