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HD 2044

An Act relative to dental hygienists

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sean Garballey

Expands dental hygienists' scope of practice to perform additional procedures independently or with reduced supervision, increasing preventive care access in underserved Massachusetts communities.

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Bill Summary · HD 2044

Legislative bill overview

HD 2044 proposes to expand the scope of practice for dental hygienists in Massachusetts by allowing them to perform additional clinical procedures currently restricted to dentists. The bill modifies licensing and supervision requirements to enable dental hygienists to work more independently in certain settings, including community health centers and underserved areas.

Why is this important

Massachusetts has dental care access gaps, particularly in low-income and rural communities. Expanding dental hygienist scope of practice could increase preventive care availability and reduce wait times for basic dental services without proportionally increasing the number of licensed dentists, who require more extensive (and expensive) training.

Potential points of contention

  • Economic impact on dentists: Dental practitioners may oppose the bill as expanded hygienist scope reduces referrals and revenue, potentially affecting their business model
  • Patient safety standards: Questions exist about whether dental hygienists receive adequate training for expanded procedures and whether reduced supervision compromises care quality
  • Supervision requirements: Determining appropriate levels of supervision (direct, indirect, or independent) creates liability questions and may still limit practical benefit

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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