Update:
March 9, 2008
TDHA Announces Recipient of 2007 Legislator of the Year Award
The Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association has named Senator Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio, District 26, TDHA 2007 Legislator of the Year. The award was presented to Senator Van de Putte at TDHA’s Legislative Workshop held in Austin on January 12, 2008.
The Legislator of the Year Award is given to a legislator who shows extraordinary leadership and support for advancing increased access to quality oral healthcare provided by licensed dental hygienists in the state of Texas.
Senator Van de Putte was chosen to receive this award after sponsoring TDHA’s local anesthesia bill during the 2007 legislative session.
With Senator Van de Putte are members of the TDHA Governmental Affairs Council. From left to right: Sandy Tesch, Lorie Jones, Senator Van de Putte, Beth Stewart, Nancy Cline and Cathy Blunck.
January 14, 2008
Open Letter to all Texas Dentists….
Dear Doctor,
On behalf of the Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association (TDHA) I want to thank you for your longstanding commitment to quality oral health care in Texas.
In an effort to prevent any misunderstanding and to eliminate misinformation, the TDHA Board of Directors has requested that I write to you to clearly state the 2009 legislative goals of our association. It is of paramount importance that TDHA and the Texas Dental Association understand each other’s goals and work together to reduce barriers to access and improve delivery approaches to quality oral health care services that both associations can strongly endorse.
TDHA DOES NOT SUPPORT INDEPENDENT PRACTICE FOR DENTAL HYGIENISTS IN TEXAS and will not propose any legislation for independent practice.
TDHA has two goals for the 2009 Legislative Session:
- Legislation to improve access to long-term, consistent oral health care by expanding Section 262.1515 of the Dental Practice Act to increase locations dental hygienists can enter to include Head Start Centers, Community Health Centers and any other Texas State Board of Dental Examiners approved facility, and to increase the number of times a dental hygienist can provide preventive services to a patient in one of these facilities during a one year period.
- Legislation to allow a dentist to delegate to a registered dental hygienist the administration of local anesthesia for management of treatment-related pain. This bill would give a Texas dentist the option and authority to delegate to a properly educated and certified dental hygienist the administration of local anesthesia under supervision. This is currently legal in 40 other states.
These two bills were filed last session as HB 2993 (Improved Access) and SB 974 (Local Anesthesia). TDHA appreciates the significant support we received from many Texas dentists last session and we welcome questions, input and recommendations as we prepare for 2009.
It is TDHA’s desire that dentists and dental hygienists in Texas work together in support of improved access to quality oral health care for all Texans.
Thank you and please feel free to contact me if you should have any comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
Beth Stewart, RDH
TDHA President
B.Stewart@texasdha.org
432-413-8843
TEX HY-PAC
In 1978, the TDHA voted to support the formation of Texas Dental Hygienists’ Political Action Committee (Tex Hy-Pac). Its purpose is to encourage dental hygienists and other interested persons to inform legislators of current dental hygiene issues. This voluntary, non-profit committee supports the goals of TDHA, but operates independently and autonomously. Tex Hy-Pac is not affiliated with any one political party but supports candidates who have demonstrated an interest in excellence in dental hygiene, and to persuade other candidates to hear our voice.
