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SB 283

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DENTAL HYGIENE.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Mara Gorman and 10 co-sponsors

Delaware SB 283 would modify dental hygiene regulations, including scope of practice and supervision, to modernize oversight and potentially expand access to care.

Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 283

Summary of SB 283 (Session 153, Delaware)

Overview

  • Bill: SB 283
  • Jurisdiction: Delaware
  • Title: AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO DENTAL HYGIENE
  • Introduced: 2026-04-16
  • Assigned To: Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee (Senate)
  • Sponsors: Kerri Harris (Co-sponsor), Claire Snyder-Hall (Co-sponsor), Eric Morrison (Co-sponsor), Russ Huxtable (Co-sponsor), Marie Pinkney (Co-sponsor)

Purpose and Intent

SB 283 proposes amendments to Title 24 of the Delaware Code to modify provisions governing dental hygiene practice. The bill’s core aim is to adjust regulatory requirements, scope of practice, or other governance mechanisms related to dental hygienists in Delaware. The assigned committee designation indicates a focus on oversight, review, and potential sunset considerations, suggesting the bill may alter regulatory controls, licensure processes, or practice standards with an eye toward accountability and modernization.

Note: The text of the bill is not provided in the materials available here, so the summary below outlines the typical areas such legislation tends to address and what readers should look for in the bill’s actual language.

Key Provisions (Expected Areas of Change)

While the specific text is not included, typical amendments to dental hygiene statutes often address:
- Scope of Practice: Modifications to what activities dental hygienists may perform (e.g., diagnostic duties, cleaning, sealants, fluoride applications) and any procedures requiring direct supervision or collaboration with a dentist.
- Licensure and Certification: Requirements for licensure renewal, continuing education mandates, or new pathways for credentialing dental hygienists.
- Supervision Requirements: Standards for dentist supervision (general vs. direct supervision) and permissible settings (private practices, public health clinics, schools).
- Practice Setting Flexibility: Allowances or restrictions for tele-dentistry, mobile clinics, or work in non-traditional settings.
- Quality and Safety Standards: Adoption of practice standards, infection control, patient safety protocols, and reporting requirements for adverse events.
- Regulatory Oversight: Changes to the Delaware Board of Dental Examiners’ authority, complaint processes, disciplinary actions, or sunset review schedules.
- Public Health and Access: Provisions intended to expand access to dental hygiene services, particularly in underserved communities or school-based programs.
- Fees and Administrative Procedures: Changes to licensure fees, renewal timelines, or administrative processes for licensing.

Who is Affected

  • Dental Hygienists: Professionals practicing or seeking to practice dental hygiene in Delaware, subject to licensure, supervision, and practice standards outlined in the bill.
  • Dentists and Dental Practices: Employers and supervising dentists who oversee hygienists; potential changes to supervision requirements and collaboration expectations.
  • Patients and Public Health: Delaware residents receiving dental hygiene services; any expansion or tightening of access, safety, or quality controls may impact care delivery.
  • Regulatory Agencies: The Delaware Board of Dental Examiners and related state oversight bodies, which may gain or adjust authority, procedures, or sunset review obligations.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Committee Assignment: Legislative Oversight & Sunset Committee in the Senate, indicating potential review of regulatory frameworks, sunset provisions, or performance evaluations of the current dental hygiene statutes.
  • Next Steps: If advanced, the bill would typically undergo committee hearings, potential amendments, floor votes in the Senate and House, and, if enacted, effective dates specified within the bill (e.g., immediate, or upon a stated date after enactment). Sunset or review provisions, if included, would specify timelines for periodic reevaluation.

Practical Takeaways

  • SB 283 signals Delaware’s ongoing attention to the regulation of dental hygiene practice. For stakeholders (practitioners, employers, patients, and policymakers), key details to monitor include:
    • The exact scope of practice changes and supervision requirements.
    • Any new licensure or continuing education mandates.
    • Changes to the regulatory oversight structure or sunset review schedules.
    • Provisions aimed at expanding access to care or improving patient safety.

If you can provide the full text or specific language of SB 283, I can deliver a more precise, line-by-line summary of provisions, exact changes, and their concrete impact.

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

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