NITROUS OXIDE ADMINISTRATION - H.B. 4675 (S-5): FLOOR ANALYSIS

sans-serif">House Bill 4675 (Substitute S-5 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)

Sponsor: Representative Barb Vander Veen

House Committee: Health Policy

Senate Committee: Health Policy

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Public Health Code to allow a licensed dental hygienist who met certain educational requirements and had passed a State board exam, to administer nitrous oxide analgesia to a patient who was at least 18 years old, upon delegation by and under the direct supervision of a dentist. A hygienist who met the bill's requirements could become certified in nitrous oxide analgesia administration by the Department of Community Health for a $10 fee. A hygienist could administer nitrous oxide in situations in which the concentration of the drug was not more than 50%.

The bill also would allow a registered dental assistant who met certain educational requirements to assist and monitor the administration of nitrous oxide analgesia, upon delegation by and under the direct supervision of a dentist. The nitrous oxide levels would have to be preset by the dentist or dental hygienist. A dental assistant could adjust the levels only in an emergency, in which case he or she could turn off the nitrous oxide and administer 100% oxygen. (Under the bill, “assisting” would mean setting up equipment and placing the face mask. The term would not include titrating or turning equipment on or off. “Monitoring” would mean observing levels and reporting to the dentist or hygienist.)

In addition, the bill would require a registered dental assistant to fulfill certain educational requirements in order to perform various intraoral dental procedures, which are presently within a registered dental assistant’s scope of practice.

MCL 333.16611 - Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval

FISCAL IMPACT

Currently, there are 9,024 licensed dental hygienists in the State of Michigan. It is unknown how many of these hygienists would apply for the certification in this bill. The revenue generated by the $10 fee would be used to support the operating costs of the Bureau of Health Professions.

Date Completed: 2-18-04 - Fiscal Analyst: Dana PattersonFloor\hb4675 - Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.