Legislation
What has ADHA done for me? This question comes up often when speaking with members. Here is one answer to that question: ADHA has awarded ASDHA a legislative grant for the upcoming legislative session. This support to Arizona will impact ASDHA's ability to influence potential legislation next legislative session.
AzDA has told ASDHA that they will introduce legislation for the CDHC (Community Dental Health Coordinator) next session. ASDHA will again sit down and discuss their legislation to see if we can arrive at a piece of legislation that can be agreed upon by both organizations just as we did for SB1400.
ADHA, ASDHA and CADHS work together to represent hygienists and achieve greater access to care for the public. Your continued membership provides YOU with a voice and is a vital part of our success.
If you have additional questions.
Emma Violante, RDH
6018 W. Monte Cristo
Glendale, AZ 85306
(602)938-5179
Capitol Day 2009
One hundred seventy student and member hygienists participated in ASDHA's Capitol Day 2009 on Wednesday, February 18, 2009. The group gathered at the Arizona capital to discuss with legislators ASDHA's pending legislation, SB1400, introduced by Senator Thayer Verschoor, Representatives Bradley, Goodale and Tobin.
Those in attendance declared this Capitol Day the best they had attended. Elements of the day most appreciated by participants were the orientation, meeting with members of the Senate and House health committees and the Luncheon with Legislators.
During the orientation, Kelsey Lundy, ASDHA Lobbyist with Williams and Associates, shared information with the group about what a lobbyist does, ASDHA's past successes, why legislation matters to the hygienist and how hygienists can influence the passage of legislation.
The most appreciated aspect of Capitol Day was the Luncheon with Legislators. The buffet luncheon was served under tents located on the House lawn. Seating for the luncheon was arranged by legislative district giving hygienists the opportunity to sit with their legislators. Thirty three legislators joined their constituents for lunch and conversation about SB1400. After lunch the group was introduced in both the Senate and House. Three legislators enjoyed meeting their constituents so much they chose to introduce them as well.
The legislature is currently dealing with the 2010 budget and has delayed hearing any other legislation until the budget is finalized. However, all hygienists should be prepared to contact their legislators to support SB1400 by telephone or email when requested to do so by ASDHA or your component delegate.
Not aware of what SB1400 is about? In a nutshell, SB1400 removes the age restriction on patients an Affiliated Practice hygienist may treat. Currently they are limited to treating only children until they are 18 years old. There is a huge unmet need in the rest of Arizona's population. Removing the age restiction would open more opportunities for hygienists to provide care to this underserved population. It also simplifies the settings an Affiliated Practice hygienist may work by stating "Affiliated Practice setting means the delivery of dental hygiene services by a dental hygienist under an affiliated practice relationship" , instead of listing specific locations, ie: public health agency, etc. .
ASDHA asks hygienists to support this legislation because we are aware of this access to care issue and because this legislation presents additonal employment options for hygienists. Did you know there are currently four affiliated practice clinics operating in Arizona? Three are in Phoenix and one is in Tucson. These clinics are creating healthier patients and individuals who recognize and desire oral health as a component of total health.
Please respond immediately when asked to call or email your legislator by ASDHA or your component delegate. Legislators make decisions based on the number of calls/emails they get in support or against legislation. The Dental Association has members that recognize this and respond quickly. We need to do the same or our legislation will be lost.
Your dentist employer may hear from the Arizona Dental Association that the AP legislation is a stepping stone to the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) and that ADHA has targeted Arizona for this new provider. This is NOT TRUE!! The only state currently developing a curriculum for this is Minnesota. It is a masters level program which allows a hygienist to provide some restorative services. They may also hear that there is a DHAT (Dental Health Aide Therapist) working in Arizona. Not sure if this is true BUT be aware that a DHAT by law can only practice in Alaska or on Native American Lands where the federal/state governments have limited control over health care.
If you missed Capitol Day 2009 be sure to register and participate in Capitol Day 2010 next February. If you have questions concerning this legislation contact your component delegate, officers, ASDHA President Jan Grutzius or ASDHA Dental Hygiene Regulation and Practice Council Chair Emma Violante for more information.
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