1. Are limited permits to practice a profession new in New York State?

   No, availability of a limited permit is consistent with provisions in place for other medical professions including practical and professional nurses, physician's assistants, physical therapists, dental assistants and dentists.

2. Who may apply for a limited permit to practice Dental Hygiene in New York State?

   Only those persons who have completed a program of Dental Hygiene within a CODA- approved program; successfully completed and attained a passing grade on their National Board Written Exam and otherwise meet all statutory and regulatory mandates for licensure in Dental Hygiene in New York State may apply for a limited permit.

3. How long can graduate dental hygienists' work under a limited permit?

   The statute allows for the issuance of a limited permit to graduate dental hygienists' who have met all licensure requirements except for successfully passing the clinical licensure exam for a period of one year. An additional year may be applied for; however, circumstances for a second year of limited permit practice will need to be extenuating and approved by a process determined by the NYS Education Department.

4. What limitations do graduate dental hygienists' practice under as holders of a limited permit?

   Graduate dental hygienists' must practice under the personal supervision of a licensed dentist while they are holding a limited permit. That means that the supervising dentist must be physically present in the facility at all times while professional services within the scope of practice are being delivered. The supervising dentist must examine the patient prior to the rendering of treatment, authorize that treatment and examine the patient after the treatment is completed.

5. Why did DHASNY support and work toward the passage of the legislation to allow for practice under a limited permit for graduate dental hygienists'?

   Today's professional health environment is changing rapidly. Across New York State, we have a bevy of situations related to workforce and the maldistribution of practicing dental hygienists', both geographically and in the private practice and public health environments. From an access to care perspective, the number of open dental hygiene positions within public health programs may be alleviated by allowing these otherwise fully competent graduates to practice in a well supervised manner. The inclusion of oral health in recent legislation enacting health reform increases the need in itself to ensure a workforce sufficient to meet the need. Graduate dental hygienists are leaving college with exceptionally high student loans, sometimes over $100,000 for a BSDH; and putting off meaningful employment for four, six, eight or more months while awaiting the taking of an examination can be an economic hardship.

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In keeping with the mission of the Dental Hygienists' Association of the State of New York to support the advancement of dental hygiene to ensure access to and delivery of quality preventive and therapeutic oral health care services to all New Yorkers, we were pleased to have been instrumental in advancing this particular piece of legislation. Watch our Web site at www.dhasny.org and the Web site of the NYS Education Department, Office of the Professions at www.op.nysed.gov for more information. The expectation is that this opportunity will not be available for a minimum of six months.