OklahomaSB 669Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Practice of dentistry; modifying various provisions of the State Dental Act. Effective date.

Sponsored By: Christi Gillespie (Republican)

Became Law

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Dental assistants face anesthesia duty limits

Beginning November 1, 2025, oral surgery expanded-duty permit holders can perform listed support tasks, but cannot administer anesthesia care. Starting or stopping IV lines and preparing medicines require direct supervision; hands-on support, IV adjustments, and vital-sign readings require direct visual supervision. Delegation requires a qualified clinician with a general or parenteral anesthesia permit; licensed clinicians retain anesthesia decisions and surgical duties. The supervising oral surgeon remains responsible for anesthetic selection and care before, during, and after surgery. Related supervision and dentist-discipline provisions remove oral surgery assistants as a separately named category.

Patients get clearer dental billing records

Beginning November 1, 2025, insurance claims, patient bills, and receipts must name the dentist or dentists who provided care. Treatment records must identify the treating dentist and any treating hygienist or assistant, with applicable license numbers. When an office closes, its licensee must notify the Board in writing and state where patient records will be kept.

Dental students gain supervised work options

Beginning November 1, 2025, qualified dental hygiene students can request intern permits with their dean's or school's governing body's approval. Permit holders can work under a licensed dentist's direct supervision and receive compensation under permit-holder rules. Dental student interns can provide scaling, root planing, and local anesthesia after completing the second semester of dental school's third year.

Dental workers get longer license reinstatement window

Beginning November 1, 2025, the Board can reinstate dental licenses or permits canceled for nonrenewal within five years after expiration. This extends the former one-year window. Reinstatement requires annual renewal and Board-set penalty fees. The Board can also require training or continuing education before reinstatement.

Deployed dental workers avoid renewal fees

Beginning November 1, 2025, active-duty dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants do not pay renewal fees while deployed outside the United States. The waiver applies to members of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Military spouses gain dental licensing pathway

Beginning November 1, 2025, qualifying active-duty military spouses are eligible for an Oklahoma dental license or permit. The service member must have a current permanent change of station order. The spouse must have held an active license in another state for the previous two years.

Dental providers must report safety risks

Beginning November 1, 2025, dentists must report suspected impairment or physical or mental conditions threatening patient care within 72 hours. Failure to notify the Board is grounds for discipline. Licensees must also report potentially dental-related emergency hospital visits resulting in admission after dental office treatment. That notice is due within 24 hours after the licensee learns of the event.

Volunteer mobile dental clinics avoid registration fees

Beginning November 1, 2025, qualifying volunteer mobile dental clinics are exempt from State Dental Act registration fees. A clinic must be directly affiliated with a church or religious organization covered by federal tax sections 501(c)(3) or 501(d). It must clearly identify that organization on its exterior. It cannot receive payment for patient work, directly or indirectly, except donations through the affiliated organization.

Dental assistants face permit and training rules

Beginning November 1, 2025, dental assistants must obtain a permit before working; the prior one-day allowance ends. Applicants must submit a written application, pay the Board's fee, and pass a background check. New permit holders must complete a Board-approved infection-control class within one year or face discipline. Oral surgery expanded-duty permit holders need 8 continuing education hours every two years, including 1 hour on infection control. Other dental assistants must complete 2 hours on infection control.

Military dental workers face tighter training exemption

Beginning November 1, 2025, the active-duty continuing education exemption is narrower for dentists and dental hygienists. They must serve at least 18 months on full-time active duty during a two-year education cycle. They must also be deployed outside the United States. Those who do not meet both conditions cannot use this exemption.

Dental appliance patients need in-person exams

Beginning November 1, 2025, dental appliance patients must be patients of record and receive an in-person exam. This must happen before a dentist prescribes, diagnoses, or oversees their appliance treatment. The requirement provides an examination safeguard but requires an in-person visit before these services.

Dental assistants gain surgery-support permit pathway

Beginning November 1, 2025, eligible dental assistants can seek an oral surgery expanded-duty permit. They must assist a dentist, pediatric dentist, or oral surgeon holding a parenteral or general anesthesia permit. Applicants must submit a written application, pay the Board's fee, pass a background check, and complete Board-required training. Temporary training status ends when the Board approves completed training and cannot last more than two years.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Christi Gillespie
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Cynthia Roe
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 200 • No: 1

Senate vote • 5/13/2025

FOURTH READING

Yes: 43 • No: 0

House vote • 5/1/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 82 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2025

DO PASS

Yes: 12 • No: 1

House vote • 4/9/2025

DO PASS

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2025