U.S. Senate encourages exploration of ADHP with vote on bill
In an early victory for the creation of an advanced dental hygiene practitioner (ADHP), the United States Senate recently passed H.R. 3010, the fiscal year 2006 spending bill for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), by a 94-3 vote.
The report accompanying the bill, S. Rpt. 109-103, includes a provision encouraging the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to "explore development of an advanced dental hygiene practitioner who would be a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene program and complete an advanced educational curriculum, which prepares the dental hygienist to provide diagnostic, preventive, restorative and therapeutic services directly to the public in rural and underserved areas."
It's important to note that the report's language does not carry the weight of law, nor does it allocate any funding for the ADHP. However, the report's language is important encouragement to the HRSA to take steps in exploring the possibilities offered by ADHP services.
"This is a small but critical victory on the road to accomplishing our goal to create an ADHP," said ADHA President Katie Dawson, RDH, BS. "I especially want to thank all of the dental hygienists at the state and local levels who contacted their federal officeholders and urged them to include language that advanced the ADHP."
The House of Representatives approved its version of the fiscal year 2006 HHS funding bill in June. The House report language does not mention the ADHP. Accordingly, ADHA will work to ensure that the Senate report language is maintained when House and Senate negotiators meet in conference committee to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate bill. Conference committee negotiations are not yet scheduled.
Watch for further updates from ADHA www.adha.org on crucial next steps for this initiative and how grassroots dental hygienists can continue to be an important partner in these efforts.
