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Dental hygiensts bill fails in House

The North Dakota House has rejected a bill to allow trained dental hygienists to perform some of the functions dentists perform.

That would include simple extractions, fillings and exams.

The bill’s main sponsor – Rep. Bill Devlin (R-Finley) – argued that allowing dental hygienists to work on these needs under the supervision of a dentist will provide more access to dental care, especially in areas where there is a shortage of dentists.

"The evidence clearly shows we have an access problem," Devlin said on the House floor. "North Dakota is the worst in the nation for providing dental care to kids enrolled in Medicaid. We can do better."

Rep. Kathy Skroch (R-Lidgerwood said she has no doubt the hygienists are highly trained professionals. But she told the House all North Dakotans, regardless of their socio-economic status deserve quality dental care form "the highest trained professionals."

"A greater challenge for dental providers today is motivating patients to accept services, and seek care routinely," Skroch said.

The bill failed 62 to 31.