ALBANY, New York – On July 26, 2006, Governor George Pataki signed into law Chapter 300 of the laws of 2006 (effective January 22, 2007), which revolutionized the profession of certified dental assisting in New York State and brought New York in line with many other states in allowing expanded duties for dental auxiliaries.

NYSDA initiated and sponsored this legislation in the hopes of increasing the number of certified dental assistants in New York by making them more valuable in the office. This expansion benefits the entire dental office in that it allows the dentist to use all licensed auxiliaries more efficiently and, accordingly, provides more access to dental care for patients.

Currently, the Department of Education is drafting regulations and preparing information to be sent to dentists regarding the new law and what it will mean to their practices. There can be no doubt, however, of its impact. The law eliminates the “laundry list” approach to services performed by assistants and, instead, expands duties to include any supportive services that are reversible.

The law provides that “[s]uch services shall not include diagnosing and/or performing surgical procedures, irreversible procedures or procedures that would alter the hard or soft tissue of the oral and maxillofacial area or any other procedures determined by the department.”

SOURCE: New York State Dental Association

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