TennesseeTennessee law lets hygienists provide care before dentist visits
Starting January 1, 2027, Tennessee dental hygienists may provide certain care before a dentist sees a patient and may prescribe limited treatments under board-set training rules.
What it does
Before a dentist sees a patient, a hygienist may take diagnostic X-rays, record existing tissue information, clean teeth, and apply fluoride. Direct supervision is required for new patients; general supervision applies to existing patients.
Dental hygienists may prescribe certain treatments, including fluoride and sealants. The state dental board must set the education and training needed, including training to place silver diamine fluoride.
Argument forPatients could receive X-rays, teeth cleaning, or fluoride before seeing a dentist, with supervision based on whether they are new or returning.
Argument againstHygienists may need added education and training before prescribing these treatments, which could limit who can provide them.
More detail
Dental hygienists may provide the listed care before a dentist sees the patient. This covers diagnostic X-rays, recording existing hard and soft tissue information, teeth cleaning, and applying fluoride. For a new patient, the hygienist must work under the dentist’s direct supervision. For an existing patient, the hygienist may work under general supervision. This provision takes effect January 1, 2027.
Dental hygienists may prescribe certain treatments, and the state dental board must set the needed education and training rules. The authority applies to dental hygienists exercising prescribing authority under Tennessee law. The treatments are fluoride agents, topical oral numbing agents, silver diamine fluoride, Curodont, sealants, and desiccation therapy. They must not be controlled substances or require a federal drug enforcement license. The law lets the board begin making rules when it takes effect. The other provisions take effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1107Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 01/01/2027
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 22Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 22Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0950)Minor
- Apr 22Passed H., Ayes 90, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 20Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Apr 15Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0972)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/15/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 15Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0973)
- Apr 15Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 3 - SA1040)
- Apr 15Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 1Passed Senate
- Apr 15Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 13Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2026
- Apr 1Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 1
- Vote recorded SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 1 4/1/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 4/1/2026
- Mar 18Reset on Final calendar of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
- Mar 17Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
- Mar 17Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
- Mar 16Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 11Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- Feb 2Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare CommitteeMinor
- Jan 22Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 21Filed for introductionIntroduced
Healthcare