This is a report about the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA)’s strong opposition statement to the amendment to Arizona Senate Bill 1037 (SB 1037). The content mainly involves the following key points:
Amendment content and controversy
The amendment to SB 1037 eliminates the requirement that dental assistants must complete a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) certified training course when obtaining the Oral Prevention Assistant (OPA) qualification.
Instead, any licensed private higher education institution that meets the state’s minimum standards is allowed to conduct relevant training. ADHA is concerned that this will lead to a decline in educational standards and pose risks to patient safety.
ADHA’s position
ADHA President Erin Haley-Hitz emphasized that this change reduces the quality of education and opens up training for non-CODA certified programs, which may endanger patient safety. ADHA has formally sent a letter to the Arizona Senate leadership on June 19 to oppose the amendment.
Legislative process
The amendment was passed by the Arizona House of Representatives on June 18 and is expected to return to the Senate for a final vote before the end of the state legislative session on June 30.
Background regulations
The previously passed Senate Bill 1124 requires dental assistants to complete the CODA certification course to apply for OPA qualification. The amendment to SB 1037 will overturn this provision.
Conflict of interest and public appeal
ADHA pointed out that the amendment was lobbied by for-profit private dental assistant schools, emphasizing that it would put economic interests above the public’s oral health.
To this end, ADHA launched a public campaign “Voice of Voters” to call on Arizona dental hygienists and residents to contact senators to oppose the bill.
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