STATE BOARD OF DENTISTRY YEAR-END UPDATE
Over the past year , the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry ( SBOD ) devoted time to discussing several emerging trends in dentistry , some of which may eventually be addressed through proposed rulemaking . There is a significant amount of attention nationwide regarding the clinical licensing examination for dentists and dental hygienists , as well as interest in licensing mobility and portability in the form of licensing compacts with other states . There was also discussion on the pathway to updating regulations for foreign-trained dentists who teach at the Commonwealth ’ s dental schools .
Several SBOD committees met to discuss specific scope of practice issues , with the intent of offering recommendations to the full SBOD on whether to initiate the regulatory process that may eventually result in the enactment of new regulations for dental offices and facilities . PDA ’ s Government Relations Committee closely monitors all developments and is prepared to offer recommendations for amending proposed rulemaking before it takes effect .
The Regulatory Committee convened to determine whether proposed rulemaking from prior years that had failed to complete the regulatory process was still relevant and whether any updates were necessary since the rulemaking was originally drafted .
Proposed rulemaking includes : General updates to existing regulations Updates for anesthesia permit holders
Streamlining the EFDA program application process and a new requirement that EFDAs pass a clinical exam
The Scope of Practice Committee met to discuss scope of practice for dental team members , including :
Dental hygienists using lasers
Dental hygienists monitoring patients who were administered nitrous oxide
22 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL