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HB 573

State Board of Dental Examiners - Expanded Function Dental Assistants - Education and Reinstatement

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tiffany Alston and 22 co-sponsors

Maryland authorizes its dental board to set education standards for expanded-function assistants and establish reinstatement rules for lapsed licenses, increasing dental workforce flexibility.

Approved by the Governor - Chapter 23
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Bill Summary · HB 573

Legislative bill overview

HB 573 modifies Maryland's dental assistant regulations by allowing the State Board of Dental Examiners to establish expanded function dental assistant (EFDA) education requirements and create a pathway for reinstatement of lapsed licenses. The bill grants the Board regulatory authority to define educational standards and sets conditions for practitioners to regain their credentials after license expiration.

Why is this important

Expanded function dental assistants perform advanced clinical tasks beyond traditional assistance, directly affecting patient care delivery and access to dental services. Clear education standards and reinstatement pathways can increase the dental workforce's flexibility while ensuring public safety through defined competency requirements. This addresses potential staffing gaps in dental practices while maintaining professional licensing oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope creep concerns: Defining what constitutes "expanded functions" could shift responsibilities traditionally held by hygienists or dentists, potentially affecting those professions' roles and compensation.
  • Educational consistency: Without prescriptive standards, different EFDAs could have varying competency levels, creating potential quality-of-care inconsistencies across providers.
  • Reinstatement standards: The bill's flexibility on reinstatement criteria could allow practitioners with outdated training to return to practice without rigorous recertification requirements.

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

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