According to a bill recently signed into law by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, dental hygienists in the state of New York will now be allowed to administer nitrous oxide analgesia or local infiltration anesthesia for any dental procedure given that they obtain a certificate to do so or do so under the supervision of the dentist.1 Previously, hygienists in New York could only administer these forms of analgesia and anesthesia for dental hygiene specific procedures.1 The bill was justified as a means to “allow dental offices to function more efficiently [and] provide greater access to care.”1,2
In their news report on the bill, Rivkin Radler Attorneys at Law state that hygienists should obtain their own malpractice insurance before being permitted to administer nitrous oxide or local infiltration anesthesia.1
References
Brocki L; Rivkin Radler LLP. NY Dental Hygiene Bill Expands Hygienists’ Authority to Administer Anesthesia - UPDATED June 2022. JD Spura website. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/ny-dental-hygiene-bill-expands-9355579/. Updated June 21, 2022. Accessed June 22, 2022.
State of New York Senate Bill S6694B, 2021-2022 Legislative Session. The New York State Senate website. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s6694/amendment/b. Accessed June 22, 2022.