TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A bill designed to help overworked dentists in urban and rural clinics is on its way to Gov. Sam Brownback’s desk.
Under the bill approved unanimously Monday by the Kansas House, specially trained dental hygienists will be allowed to do temporary fillings, pull baby teeth and perform other basic dental services.
The bill creates a new class of “Level III” hygienists who would receive more training than regular hygienists.
The Senate approved the bill last week.
A separate bill that would have allowed non-dentists to provide even more services failed after opposition from dentists.
The Wichita Eagle reports Level III hygienists will be able to work with prisons, indigent health care clinics, low-income seniors and the developmentally disabled. They could also serve children in state custody.
