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1997 SESSION

971824661
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 320
Offered January 20, 1997
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the administration of local anesthesia by licensed dental hygienists under the direction and supervision of dentists.
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Patrons-- Gartlan, Barry, Edwards, Howell and Saslaw; Delegates: Callahan, Connally, Cranwell, Darner, Keating, Mims and Plum
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Referred to the Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the citizens of the Commonwealth need access to high-quality dental care services, which are administered safely, expeditiously, and with minimal pain and discomfort to the recipient; and

WHEREAS, sensitivity to and past painful experiences with dental procedures deter many patients from seeking needed dental care services, including preventive treatments routinely performed by a dental hygienist working under the direction of a dentist; and

WHEREAS, appropriate and timely administration of local anesthesia by regional injection, a safe and reversible procedure, reduces the anxiety, pain, and discomfort experienced by dental patients during many dental hygiene procedures; and

WHEREAS, although dentists may administer local anesthesia by regional injection, they cannot authorize another to administer it; not even a dental hygienist who has successfully completed didactic and clinical training in the administration of local anesthesia; and

WHEREAS, under the direction of licensed dentists, dental hygienists perform many important dental services which are educational, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative, but which do not include the establishment of a final diagnosis or treatment plan for the dental patient; and

WHEREAS, dental hygienists play an integral role in the delivery of quality oral health care and are educated and tested on oral anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pain control, and emergency preparedness; and

WHEREAS, didactic instruction on the administration of local anesthesia is mandated by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation for all accredited dental hygiene programs, and clinical instructions can be satisfactorily provided by accredited dental hygiene programs, continuing education courses or other training programs; and

WHEREAS, the administration of local anesthesia by dental hygienists is permitted in at least twenty-two states; and

WHEREAS, dental hygienists with didactic and clinical training in the administration of local anesthesia who practice in federal military dental clinics located within the Commonwealth are permitted to administer local anesthesia; and

WHEREAS, a dentist may cause Schedule VI topical drugs, including topical anesthesia, to be administered under his direction and supervision by a dental hygienist or any authorized agent of the dentist, including persons not subject to any educational, training, or licensing requirements; and

WHEREAS, in certain circumstances it may be in the best interests of a dental patient to have immediate access to local anesthesia administered under the direction and supervision of a dentist by the member of the dental care team performing dental hygiene services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the administration of local anesthesia by licensed dental hygienists under the direction and supervision of dentists. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of seven members, which shall include five legislative members and two nonlegislative citizen members as follows: two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; three members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; one citizen member representing the Virginia Dental Association, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and one representative of the Virginia Dental Hygienists' Association, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall determine the appropriateness of authorizing a dentist to cause local anesthesia to be administered under the dentist's direction and supervision by a licensed dental hygienist who (i) is a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program that includes instruction on the administration of local anesthesia, and that is approved by the Virginia Board of Dentistry and offered by an accredited institution of higher learning, or (ii) has satisfactorily completed a program of didactic and clinical instruction on the administration of local anesthesia that is approved by the Virginia Board of Dentistry.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $ 4,450.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1998 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.