Democrats to put surgical procedures outside dentist's care despite patient risk, especially to the poor

Last week, a bill that would allow dental hygienists to practice some forms of dentistry, -- including unsupervised surgical procedures, -- and without the medical training needed to become a dentist was passed by the Minnesota Senate Health Finance Committee 5-3.

Despite serious concerns for patient health, Democrat Sen. Linda Berglin, committee chair and a staunch advocate of the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner SF 2895, severely limited the opposition testimony by the Minnesota Dental Association, to the point that MDA's concerns were never adequately addressed.

This bill – the first of its kind in the nation - includes drastic changes to the dental care system. The new hygienist position will put people at risk by allowing hygienists with half the formal education of a dentist to do the following without a dentist in the building:

o Cut and fill teeth
o Perform surgical procedures like drilling primary and permanent
teeth
o Extract primary (baby) and permanent teeth
o Diagnose and prepare treatment plans
o Render a final diagnosis
o Prescribe drugs

The Democrats are trying to frame the bill as a solution for treating the under-served in low-income and rural areas, but under-served people often have the most complex dental issues and can be medically compromised. These are the people who need the comprehensive knowledge and skill of their dentist the most.

The new hygienist proposal does nothing to require or even encourage hygienists to work in underserved areas and does not address this need at all.

This is a significant – and untested – departure from the existing legal relationship between dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants. This proposal does not require an objective, third-party clinical examination as is required of all other dental professionals.

This new hygienist position is a radical solution that has not been properly considered and will put patient’s safety at risk. A wide variety of oral health experts, including the American Dental Association, have voiced their strong opposition to this proposal.The bill now goes on to the Senate Finance Committee, as yet unscheduled.

Here is the report by the MDA:

Once again, the hearing room was filled to overflowing with numerous dental students and dentists. Opposition testimony was given by Dr. Jamie Sledd, MDA President and Dr. Rochelle Avent-Hassan, Director of North Point Health and Wellness Center (a community clinic in northeast Minneapolis).

In very eloquent testimony, Dr. Tony DiAngelis, Dental Director of Hennepin County Medical Center, indicated that even though HCMC is part of the “Safety Net Coalition,” he does not support this bill. Recognizing the severity of the dental access problem, he gave compelling, heart-felt statements about the very negative effect of this bill...

Senator Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL-Duluth) offered an amendment to delete all of the language in the bill, which would have effectively have killed the bill, and to substitute for the ADHP saying that the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center is requested to prepare a comprehensive plan for creating a new mid-level dental practitioner based in the School of Dentistry. The University of Minnesota was not allowed to speak to the amendment. The amendment failed to pass on a tie vote of 4-4.

The Minnesota Dental Association and our allies continue to vigorously oppose the ADHP bill and work hard to defeat it. The stepped up grassroots efforts on the part of practicing dentists are definitely having a positive impact. But, this looks to be a drawn out, painful fight.

During the hearing last night, the position of the MDA was grossly mischaracterized by the sponsors of the legislation. They claimed that the MDA had agreed to numerous concessions…which we had not.

The MDA and ADA will continue to oppose this bill as long as it includes unsupervised surgical procedures. We ask that you stay active, and continue to contact legislators about your concerns.

Use this link to contact members of the Senate Finance Committee.


MDA Legislative Affairs Committee:
Dr. Scott Lingle, ChairDr. Matt Anzelc, Dr. Steve Danielson, Dr. Mike Flynn, Dr. Bill Hoffmann, Mr. Michael Lee, Dr. Ryan Ritchie, Dr. Rich Weisbecker, Dr. Mike Zakula, Dr. Jim Zenk

Catch up on what has been happening on this and other legislative issues.
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