Bill Summary for Bill Number SB09-129

Date: 02/12/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB09-129

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View-->	Action Taken:
Adopt prepared amendment L.005 (Attachment S). Th Adopt prepared amendment L.006 (Attachment P). Th Refer Senate Bill 09-129, as amended, to the Commi	TIE Pass Without Objection PASS

05:44 PM -- Senate Bill 09-129

Senator Tochtrop introduced Senate Bill 09-129. The bill adds duties to the list of what constitutes the practice of unsupervised and supervised dental hygiene, and clarifies the tasks that are authorized to be performed by dental assistants or dental hygienists. She distributed amendment L.006 (Attachment P). Two handouts were distributed to the committee (Attachments Q and R).

05:48 PM -- Dr. Jeanne Salcetti, Colorado Dental Association, testified that the Colorado Dental Association has worked collaboratively with the Colorado Dental Hygienists Association regarding the bill. She testified that the dental association has a concern with the term "dental hygiene diagnosis" contained in the bill. She read a letter concerning the difference between dental hygiene diagnosis and dental diagnosis. Dr. Salcetti stated that there is concern with the term "diagnosis" and that the dental association feels that it is more appropriate to use the term "assessment."

05:52 PM -- Dr. Dave Lurye, Colorado Dental Association, testified regarding his experience working with dental hygienists to address their scope of practice. He addressed the portion of the bill that allows dental hygienists to make study casts. He stated his concerns regarding the term "diagnosis" in the bill. He responded to questions from Senator Schultheis.

06:07 PM -- Dr. Jeff Hurst, Colorado Dental Association, testified regarding his concerns that the patient will be given incorrect information if a dental hygienist is allowed to diagnose the patient without the involvement of a dentist.

06:08 PM -- Mark Patterson, Colorado Dental Hygienists Association, offered to answer questions regarding the training and education for dental hygienists. He discussed the ways in which he believes that dental hygienists make diagnoses. He stated that a change has been proposed that will remove the word "diagnosis" from the American Dental Association accreditation standards for dental hygiene education programs. He testified that he expects the change to be opposed by dental hygiene associations. He responded to a questions from Senator Carroll regarding the difference between a "dental hygiene diagnosis" and a "dental diagnosis." Mr. Patterson said that dental hygienists only engage in the activities that are permitted by their scope of practice under Colorado law.

06:16 PM -- Jackie Alexander, Colorado Dental Hygienists Association, discussed the term "dental hygiene diagnosis" and read the definition of "dental hygiene diagnosis" from various dental hygiene textbooks. She stated that registered dental hygienists are trained to make these diagnoses but that current law restricts identification of some diseases. She stated that the bill will aid in the education of dental patients.

06:21 PM -- Claire Silk, Colorado Dental Hygienists Association, testified that allowing dental hygienists to make dental hygiene diagnoses will encourage patients to see a dentist for further treatment in a timely manner. She responded to questions from Senator Morse regarding whether the term "dental hygiene diagnosis" should remain in the bill. Mr. Patterson further commented on the term "dental hygiene diagnosis," noting that other health care providers are allowed to make diagnoses within the scope of their practice. The committee discussed adding a definition for the term "dental hygiene diagnosis" to the bill.

06:31 PM

Senator Tochtrop gave concluding remarks regarding the bill. She stated that the bill will provide access to dental care. She explained the provisions of amendment L.006 (Attachment P). The amendment makes various changes including adding certain requirements related to unsupervised dental hygiene practices, and requiring certain dental hygienists to carry professional liability insurance.


BILL:	SB09-129
TIME:	06:32:44 PM
MOVED:	Tochtrop
MOTION:	Adopt prepared amendment L.006 (Attachment P). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Carroll M.
	Lundberg
	Mitchell
	Morse
	Newell
	Schultheis
	Tochtrop
	Boyd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection

06:36 PM

Senator Morse distributed amendment L.005 (Attachment S). The amendment removes the term "dental hygiene diagnosis" from the bill. The committee discussed whether a definition of the term "dental hygiene diagnosis" should be included in the bill.


BILL:	SB09-129
TIME:	06:36:08 PM
MOVED:	Morse
MOTION:	Adopt prepared amendment L.005 (Attachment S). The motion was withdrawn.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Carroll M.
	Lundberg
	Mitchell
	Morse
	Newell
	Schultheis
	Tochtrop
	Boyd

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Withdrawn


BILL:	SB09-129
TIME:	06:38:05 PM
MOVED:	Tochtrop
MOTION:	Refer Senate Bill 09-129, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 7-0 roll call vote, with one member excused.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Carroll M.	Yes
	Lundberg	Yes
	Mitchell	Excused
	Morse	Yes
	Newell	Yes
	Schultheis	Yes
	Tochtrop	Yes
	Boyd	Yes

Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS