AzDA 2018 Legislative Accomplishments

Dental Therapy:

• HB2235 was signed into law on May 16 and the new law takes effect on August 3. Arizona law is probably one of the most restrictive in the country.
  
  Where can they practice?
  Dental therapists are limited to tribal settings (including urban Indian health programs), Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHCs) and other community health centers, and not-for-profit charitable settings treating low-income and underserved individuals.
  
  Can they practice in any private practices?
  Not generally. If a private practice is providing services under contract with an FQHC, they can work in that setting, but they are limited to treating patients of record of the FQHC who are referred there.
  
  Can they bill patients or dental insurance directly?
  No. Dental therapists are expressly prohibited from billing. They are required to work under direct supervision of an Arizona licensed dentist (limited to the settings noted above) or may work under a collaborative practice agreement with an Arizona licensed dentist (see below) only after they have completed and documented a 1,000-hour preceptorship. Dental therapists completing these requirements may work under general supervision. The only way the dentist can be assured that the dental therapist is working within their scope of practice, or within the terms of the collaborative practice agreement, is to make sure that any billing for services flows through the dentist or clinic that employs them. Read More.

AHCCCS Pregnancy Bill

• SB 1445 was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Yee along with 53 bi-partisan co-sponsors. The initiative was strongly supported by AzDA, along with a wide range of organizations including the March of Dimes, College of Ob-Gyns, Dental Hygienists, Alliance of Community Health Centers, Children’s Action Alliance and the Arizona Public Health Association. Unfortunately, SB 1445 was taken out of the 2019 Budget at the last minute due to timing, it was caught up with this year’s REDforED tide, AzDA education and teacher issues. AzDA will push for this benefit in next year’s budget considerations.