MississippiHB 10622025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Dental hygienists; authorize to provide services to patients under the general supervision of dentists under certain conditions.

Sponsored By: Kevin Felsher (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public Health and Human ServicesPublic Health and Welfare

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

New dental care pathway for facility residents

Beginning July 1, 2025, Mississippi’s Board of Dental Examiners can assess dental hygiene needs in nursing and correctional facilities. It can authorize hygienists to provide care there under general supervision. The same patient, provider, service, and supervision limits apply. The law does not require approval or services at any particular facility.

No exam fee when dentists are away

Beginning July 1, 2025, practices cannot charge an examination fee for dental hygiene visits under general supervision. This fee protection applies when the supervising dentist is absent. It does not make the entire visit free, and the law sets no dollar amount for savings.

Adults gain dental care with limits

Beginning July 1, 2025, eligible Mississippi adults can receive dental hygiene care while their supervising dentist is away. Patients must already be on the dentist’s records, be at least 18, and have ASA health class I or II. The dentist must have examined them within seven months, prescribe a written treatment plan, and notify them beforehand of the absence. Hygienists need five years of Mississippi practice, deemed equivalent to at least 6,000 hours, plus current CPR certification. They must follow the dentist’s emergency rules and cannot delegate or supervise dental hygiene duties for dental assistants. Nitrous oxide and local anesthesia still require direct supervision, and the dentist remains responsible for the hygienist’s treatment actions. General supervision is limited to 10 consecutive business days and 24 total days per calendar year; patients cannot have two consecutive visits under this arrangement.

Dental hygienists face practice limits

Beginning July 1, 2025, general-supervision employers are limited to qualifying nonprofits and offices owned by Mississippi-licensed dentists. Nonprofits must meet Public Health Service grantee requirements and use a Mississippi-licensed supervising dentist. Each dentist can supervise at most three hygienists this way at once. A dentist cannot supervise a hygienist this way beyond 10 consecutive business days or 24 total days per calendar year. Hygienists cannot practice independently of a supervising dentist, and offices or practices mainly devoted to dental hygiene are prohibited.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Kevin Felsher
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 305 • No: 22

House vote • 4/1/2025

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 113 • No: 1 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 37 • No: 14

House vote • 2/6/2025