Texas Dental Hygienists' Association
April 13, 2010
Kolkhorst receives dental hygiene award at Blinn for legislative work
BRYAN - State Representative Lois Kolkhorst accepted the Legislator of the Year Award from the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. The award was presented at a luncheon hosted by the Blinn College Dental Hygiene Program in Bryan, TX.
The TDHA Legislator of the Year is awarded to the Texas legislator who shows extraordinary support and leadership in the advancement of increased access to and quality of dental hygiene care for all Texans. Rep. Kolkhorst was instrumental in advancing the passage of SB 97 that substantially increased access to dental hygiene care in medically underserved areas.
Rep. Kolkhorst, whose father was a dentist, said the tour of the Blinn dental hygiene clinic brought back childhood memories. She noted the prestige of the Blinn program and thanked the students for choosing dental hygiene as a profession.
On April 1, 2010 a letter from TDHA was sent to all TDA Delegates and Alternate Delegates urging them to continue the discussion on local anesthesia for Texas hygienists at their House of Delegates meeting in San Antonio in May, 2010. Click here for Letter
Legislative Bill Becomes Law
July 20 , 2009
TDHA is proud to announce that SB 97/HB 456 was signed by Governor Perry and is now law! The provisions of this new bill will go into effect on September 1, 2009. This new law will allow Texas Dental Hygienists to go into school-based centers, nursing homes, and community health centers for a period of up to six months before a dental exam is required by a dentist. To review the entire bill language, please go to www.capitol.state.tx.us. Thanks to all of you who dedicated your time and efforts to help pass this important legislation. New rules for implementation of SB97 were adopted by the State Board of Dental Examiners in October 2009. A copy of the new language within the Dental Practice Act can be found at www.tsbde.state.tx.us.
Legislative Update, 2009
Who do You Know? -- Are you friends with a legislator? Let us hear from you - click on the link to fill out the form.
Check out What is Happening on the National Level
District IX Trustee Report, Winter 2010
Proposed National Workforce Models
The Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee (DHAC) to the State Board of Dental Examiners (SBDE) wanted dental hygienists to have a standard of care with regard to recording patient treatment. The intent is that a dental hygienist would be more thorough in recording treatment other than just “PX, EX, BWX” and include all information regarding the patient’s care at each visit.
The DHAC and the SBDE found the wording of the new rule acceptable and the SBDE approved the new rule January 16, 2009 for publication in the Texas Register.
For actual wording of the rule, click here.Since 1971, Dental Hygienists have been permitted to give local anesthesia under supervision in other states. LA flyer
Improving the quality of patient care and management of treatment-related pain is the motivating factor behind the effort to legalize the administration of local anesthesia by dental hygienists. fact sheet LA Map
In 1978, the TDHA voted to support the formation of Texas Dental Hygienists’ Political Action Committee (Tex Hy-Pac). Its purpose is to encourage dental hygienists and other interested persons to inform legislators of current dental hygiene issues. more
Oral Health Reports
Oral Health in America - Surgeon General's Report
Relationship Between Periodontal Treatment and Overall Cost
Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations for use of Pit and Fissure Sealants
Dental disease disproportionately affects our Nation's most vulnerable populations, including many in rural America. Untreated tooth decay can lead to pain, suffering, and either death. Below is an article of a tragedy that resulted when a 12 year old boy was not able to access routine and timely dental care.
How an RDH can help. more
© 2004, Texas Dental Hygienists' Association