Bill Description: House Bill 805 would expand the scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists in Idaho. 

Rating: +1

Does it increase barriers to entry into the market? Examples include occupational licensure, the minimum wage, and restrictions on home businesses. Conversely, does it remove barriers to entry into the market?

House Bill 805 would repeal and replace Section 54-904, Idaho Code, and amend other sections of code in Chapter 9, Title 54, Idaho Code, to clarify and expand the scope of practice for licensed dental hygienists in Idaho. 

While current law leaves a dental hygienist’s scope of work largely up to the supervising dentist, the new language says “a dental hygienist is authorized to perform any dental intervention within the individual's education, training, and experience or as delegated by a supervising dentist.” 

The scope of practice could still be limited by the State Board of Dentistry’s rules, but this bill would pave the way for dental hygienists to offer a wider range of services, which could result in lower costs and better availability, especially in rural areas. 

(+1)