ALBANY, New York – Legislation is pending that would enable New York’s dental assistants to perform the supportive procedures they are trained and qualified to perform in dental offices. The bill numbers are S.3304c and A.7369c.

This bill amends the definition of the practice of certified dental assisting to eliminate the list of duties, replacing it with an exclusionary statement prohibiting certain duties. It permits certified dental assistants to perform non-invasive, reversible supportive procedures for a dentist in his or her performance of dental services authorized under the dental practice act. It will enable dental assistants to better assist dentists by more fully utilizing their skills and training, thereby better serving the public’s needs for oral health care.

Physicians already utilize assistants in providing many treatment procedures, thereby enabling the physician to focus more on diagnosis, complex procedures and oversight. Many other states are years ahead of New York in allowing dentists to delegate “reversible” procedures to dental assistants.

Dental assistants are well trained and highly qualified. Current restrictions severely limit dentists' ability to practice as efficiently as they should. Increasing the duties of dental assistants will improve access to care.

Please ask the dental assistants in your office to complete the attached petition. You may make as many copies of this petition as you need for the assistants in your practice. Please return the signed petition(s) to NYSDA as soon as possible.

With your cooperation, we will submit these petitions to the New York State Legislature in support of the new dental assisting legislation.

SOURCE: New York State Dental Association

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