What's Happening?
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has released a white paper advocating for the self-regulation of dental hygienists to improve public care and access to oral health services. Currently, only California and Washington allow dental hygienists to self-regulate,
while in other states, they are overseen by dentist-majority boards. The ADHA suggests that self-regulation could empower hygienists to better serve the public by allowing them to operate more independently, similar to the nursing profession. The paper encourages dental hygienists to educate themselves about self-regulation, advocate for policy changes, and collaborate with stakeholders to advance this initiative.
Why It's Important?
Self-regulation could significantly impact the dental industry by increasing the autonomy of dental hygienists, potentially leading to improved access to oral health care, especially in underserved areas. By allowing hygienists to self-regulate, the profession could attract more practitioners, reduce bottlenecks in dental care, and enhance the quality of services provided. This change could also lead to cost savings for patients and the healthcare system by streamlining processes and reducing the need for oversight by dentist-majority boards. The move towards self-regulation reflects broader trends in healthcare towards empowering allied health professionals.
What's Next?
The ADHA will likely continue to lobby for legislative changes at the state level to allow for self-regulation. This may involve working with state dental boards, legislators, and other stakeholders to draft and promote bills that support this initiative. Dental hygienists are encouraged to participate in advocacy efforts and engage with their professional associations to push for these changes. The success of this initiative could set a precedent for other allied health professions seeking greater autonomy.
