Updates on Legislative Activity!

To date, more than 47 coalition partners Coalition List, including KDHA, have joined the Kansas Dental Project in advocating for the Registered Dental Practitioner. The RDP Bill is still proposed legislation that you can read here: HB 2157

 Please contact your Legislator if you have not already done so! They are willing and need to hear from you about this topic!

Locate your legislators information here: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/

Please utilize the talking points on publication page!

Here are the facts about the RDP from the Kansas Dental Project:
2013 Registered Dental Practitioner
Read about why RDP's are needed in our state: Rural Dentists Need Midlevels

Join the Kansas Dental Project at: http://www.kansasdental.com

Kansas Dental Hygienists' Extended Care Permit

New Laws Took Effect July 1, 2007

In 2003, Kansas Legislature passed a law giving dental hygienists licensed in the State of Kansas the opportunity to provide services in community settings, such as Head Start programs, schools, local health departments, safety net clinics, and long-term care facilities. The overall purpose of Extended Care Permit (ECP) Hygiene Services: To provide prevention and early identification services to Kansas residents who go without for lack of money, transportation, and/or oral health knowledge. Fifty-five hygienists have their ECP and more than 25 hygienists have taken advantage of the Extended Care Permit by establishing regular community services in a variety of settings.

In 2007, Kansas Legislature passed a legislation that opens up the opportunity for more ECP hygienists to serve additional people in community settings. Here is a brief summary of the changes and additions in the 2007 law. To read more about HB 2214, please go to http://www.kslegislature.org/supplemental/2008/CCRB2214.pdf

  • Hygienists receiving an ECP I to serve children and adults need only1,200 hours of clinical practice under the supervision of a dentist before qualifying for the permit. Hygienists qualifying for an ECP II to serve elders and people with special health care needs continue to need 1,800 hours of clinical practice under the supervision of a dentist.
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  • Hygienists with an ECP I may serve a wider range of children who qualify for Medicaid, HealthWave or free and reduce lunch program -- those at Head Start and other early education settings, foster care, therapeutic centers, schools, community youth programs, local health departments, juvenile justice programs, and safety net clinics.
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  • Hygienists with an ECP II may serve a wider range of elders and adults with special health care needs – those at individual and group homes, developmental disabilities centers, community subsidized housing and meal programs as well as senior centers, long-term care facilities, local health departments, and safety net clinics.
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  • All licensed hygienists with an anesthesia certificate approved by the Dental Board may apply topical anesthetic when needed for patients’ comfort without a dentist being present… either in a dental office or in a community setting.
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  • All licensed hygienists may apply fluoride varnish in community settings as well as provide screening and oral health education.
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  • Hygienists who have retired and those who have not practiced in three years may qualify for an ECP in one of two ways: completing a refresher course approved by Kansas Dental Board or performing 200 hours of clinical practice under the supervision of dentists.

To review this legislation, go to the Kansas Dental Board website under statutes beginning in section 65-1456 (f) and rules and regulations in section 71-3-9.

Marcia Manter
Community Development Specialist
Oral Health Kansas:
www.oralhealthkansas.org
 mmanter@oralhealthkansas.org