At 7am on December 24th, the Senate passed H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The passage of the legislation marks another hurdle in the effort to pass sweeping health reform legislation in Congress. The House passed its health reform bill in November and now Senate and House leadership will reconcile the differences between the two pieces of legislation, setting the stage for final passage of a health reform bill. 

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is committed to keeping the dental hygiene community informed on health reform matters that impact the profession. Both the House and Senate bills contain significant oral health provisions that are not often mentioned in media coverage of health reform.  

ADHA respects that there are many opinions on health reform within the dental hygiene community. This update is not intended to sway recipients in one direction or the other on the issue, but is offered as a means to update dental hygiene professionals about the oral health provisions contained in the Senate bill (H.R. 3590) and the House bill (H.R. 3962).

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HOUSE BILL 602 Passes House of Representatives

On March 24, 2009 the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed HB602. This bill expands the scope of practice for Expanded Function Dental Assistants to include:

· coronal polishing
· fluoride treatments
· impressions for athletic appliances

Even more exciting HB602 will add a seat to the PA State Board of Dentistry for an Expanded Function Dental Assistant.

The time is now to contact your Senators. Ask them to support HB602. Please make sure to call them as if you email them they will send a return email stating that you phone. Not sure who to contact or a number to call try the PA General Assembly website www.legis.state.pa.us
Dental Assistants everywhere need your help. Get involved!

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