Guest blog by the Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies
No doubt, you’ve heard about the new law that expands dental hygienists’ Scope of Practice to include Interim Therapeutic Restorations (ITRs). Specifically, Colorado House Bill HB 15-1309 paves the way for dental hygienists to perform ITRs under the supervision of a dentist after completing appropriate coursework, and applying for and obtaining a permit from the Colorado Dental Board.
The new law is significant because it allows a dental professional, other than a dentist, to perform ITRs to stop the progression of dental disease until a dentist can provide treatment – especially for patients in rural, underserved areas of our state that may not have ready access to a dentist. In essence, the law – closely aligned with the vision of the SMILES Dental Project – expands access to much-needed oral health services across our state.
State law requires dental hygienists have the training and experience they need to perform ITRs safely, and under the guidance of a dentist. By obtaining a permit, dental hygienists demonstrate that they’ve met state requirements to perform ITRs in compliance with regulations. That said, it’s important to note that each state has its own regulations. HB 15-1309 is unique to Colorado; to perform ITRs in other states, check their laws and regulations.
This fall, dental hygienists statewide – some of them in collaboration with the SMILES Dental Project and participating licensed dentists – will be able to start the ITR permit and training process. Currently, we know Community College of Denver (CCD) plans to launch an ITR Continuing Education course in December. At a minimum, ITR training will include four hours’ didactic instruction and four hours’ training in the lab. That said, any Colorado dental school or dental hygienist program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) can develop a course and expand on the minimum requirements, including programs at Colorado Northwestern Community College, Pueblo Community College and the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. In a few months, we’ll update you on this blog when CCD and other programs are accepting applicants, and what the courses will entail.
Meanwhile, we encourage interested dental hygienists to watch this informational webinar. While ITR-qualifying training programs are still being developed, we also encourage you to periodically check the Colorado Dental Board website for updates about the ITR permit process, and to view both the applicable rule and the applicationitself. In particular, Rule XXVdescribes the requirements for obtaining an ITR permit. Dental hygienists interested in applying for a permit should familiarize themselves with this rule.
With HB 15-1309, not only are Colorado dental hygienists going to bring expanded oral health services to individuals and families in far-flung parts of the state beyond the I-25 and I-70 corridors, where health services can be inconsistent and far-between; they’ll also strengthen their own skills. This will enhance the dental workforce overall, as part of a pioneering project that addresses the immediate needs of Coloradans.
Any necessary long-term care must ultimately be performed by a dentist, but HB 15-1309 brings interim care to remote Colorado communities where the nearest dentist may be many miles away. Dental hygienists will soon have another tool in their toolbox to reduce dental complications caused by tooth decay. That’s something to smile about!
