ALBANY, New York – Governor Pataki has signed New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) -introduced legislation (S.3304e/A.7369e), which will permit certified dental assistants to perform any non-invasive, reversible supportive procedure for a dentist in his or her performance of dental services authorized under the Dental Practice Act. It eliminates the need to employ a “laundry list” approach to services performable by assistants.

The legislation will take effect in six months, during which time the Department of Education will be developing regulations to implement the new law. The Department is allowed under the legislation to prohibit any procedure from being performed if such is deemed a potential danger to the public. At the most, this should be a very short list since any procedure which is readily reversible by the dentist and does not entail cutting of soft or hard tissue is unlikely to pose such a threat.

NYSDA introduced the legislation in an effort to make the profession more attractive and ultimately to increase the number of certified dental assistants in the state. Currently, there are approximately 600 certified dental assistants and it is hoped that this number will soar into the thousands as these licensees become more valuable in the office.

In its Legislative Memo, NYSDA stated that dental assistants are well trained and highly qualified and that current restrictions severely limit dentists' ability to practice as efficiently as they should. NYSDA noted that increasing the duties of dental assistants would improve access to care.

SOURCE: New York State Dental Association

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