Legislative

2009 Legislative Awareness Day
February 22-23
Austin, Texas

2009 Legislative Priorities
The following issues have been adopted by the Registered Dental Hygienists of Texas as their legislative priorities for the 2009 Session of the Texas Legislature.

Improve access to long-term, consistent oral health care by expanding Section 262.1515
Expand Section 262.1515 of the Dental Practice Act to increase locations dental hygienists can enter to include Head Start Centers, Community Health Centers, and any other Texas State Board of Dental Examiners approved facility, and to increase the number of times a dental hygienist can provide preventive services to a patient in one of these facilities during a one year period.

Administration of Local Anesthesia under Supervision
Legislation to allow a dentist to delegate to a certified, registered and licensed dental hygienist the administration of local anesthesia for management of treatment-related pain. This bill would give a Texas dentist the option and authority to delegate to a properly trained dental hygienist the administration of local anesthesia under supervision.

Registration forms for Legislative Awareness Day are available at: www.texasdha.org
Registration deadline is January 15, 2009.  Mail complete registration forms and checks payable to TEX HY-PAC to:

Cindy Crisler, RDH
8332 Thornhaven Crt
North Richland Hills, TX 76180

You may also contact Terri Patrick, DDHS’s Legislative Chair, for more information.
Terri Patrick
972-304-8334
TPatRDH@aol.com

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Tex HyPAC

In 1978, the TDHA voted to support the formation of Texas Dental Hygienists’ Political Action Committee (Tx HyPAC).  Its purpose is to encourage dental hygienists and other interested persons to inform Legislators of current dental hygiene issues.  This voluntary, non-profit committee supports the goals of TDHA, but operates independently and autonomously.  Tx HyPAC is not affiliated with any one political party but supports candidates who have demonstrated an interest in excellence in dental hygiene, and to persuade other candidates to hear our voice.

This committee donates money to endorse candidates and provides information to dental hygienists on current legislative issues including those candidates whose views are consistent with a positive impact for dental hygienist.  The synergy of dozens and hundreds of dental hygienists working together is what it takes for our collective voice to be heard.
For more information or to make a contribution contact:
Denise Frank
(817) 229-3829
denisefrank@sbcglobal.net 

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