HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1441

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to dentistry.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the use of barriers and sterilization techniques in dentistry is the primary means of assuring there is the least possible chance of transmission of communicable diseases from a dentist and staff to patients, from patient to patient, and from a patient to the dentist and staff.  To prevent patient-to-patient cross contamination, instruments and supplies contaminated or likely to be contaminated with blood or saliva and touched during dental treatment must be sterilized between patients or discarded.  Surfaces and equipment that are likely to be contaminated with blood or saliva and touched during dental treatment must also be decontaminated or covered with a barrier, which is later discarded and replaced.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require dentists and direct care staff in a dental office, including dental hygienists and dental assistants, to comply with certain barrier techniques;

     (2)  Require the board of dental examiners to update rules for effective surface decontamination methods and sterilization requirements for items and instruments used on patients; and

     (3)  Specify requirements for the management of single use items used in patient treatment.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 448, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§448-    Barrier techniques; sterilization requirements; rules.  (a)  Dentists shall comply with the following barrier techniques:

     (1)  Gloves shall be used by the dentist and direct care staff during treatment that involves intraoral procedures or contact with items potentially contaminated with a patient's bodily fluids.  Fresh gloves shall be used for every intraoral patient contact.  Gloves shall not be washed or reused for any purpose.  The same pair of gloves shall not be used, removed, and reused for the same patient at the same visit or for any other purpose.  Gloves that have been used for dental treatment shall not be reused for any nondental purpose; provided that only latex free gloves shall be used by the dentist and direct care staff in a dental office; and

     (2)  Masks shall be worn by the dentist and direct care staff when splatter or aerosol is likely and during surgical procedures, except where the dentist determines that the use of a mask would prevent the delivery of health care services or would increase the hazard and risk to the dentist's patient; provided that where a dentist determines not to wear a mask during a surgical procedure, the determination shall be documented in the patient record.

     (b)  The board of dental examiners shall update rules for effective surface decontamination methods, including for areas of the dental operatory that require protective barriers, and sterilization requirements for items and instruments used by direct care staff on patients.

     (c)  For purposes of this section, "direct care staff" means dental hygienists and dental assistants.

     §448-    Single use items; management.  (a)  Sterile disposable needles shall be used in patient treatment; provided that the same needle may be recapped with a single-handed recapping technique or recapping device and subsequently reused for the same patient during the same visit.

     (b)  Single use items used in patient treatment that have been contaminated by saliva or blood shall be discarded and shall not be reused.  Single use items include but are not limited to disposable needles, local anesthetic carpules, saliva ejectors, polishing discs, bonding agent brushes, prophy cups, prophy brushes, fluoride trays, and interproximal wedges."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Dentistry; Board of Dental Examiners; Dentists; Barrier Techniques; Decontamination Methods; Sterilization Requirements; Single Use Items

 

Description:

Requires dentists and direct care staff in a dental office, including dental hygienists and dental assistants, to comply with certain barrier techniques.  Requires the board of dental examiners to update rules for effective surface decontamination methods and sterilization requirements for items and instruments used on patients.  Specifies requirements for the management of single use items used in patient treatment.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.