Nevada Bill Threatens Standards for Dental Hygiene Profession

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is sounding the alarm over Nevada Senate Bill 495, a proposal that could undermine the foundation of dental hygiene practice as we know it. Specifically, Sections 77–79 of the bill would create a new licensure pathway that allows individuals to become licensed dental hygienists without graduating from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-accredited program.

Instead, candidates could qualify through a board-approved training course overseen by a dentist, followed by a series of competency and clinical exams. Shockingly, provisional licenses could be issued before completing these requirements. The implications are dire: patients could receive care from individuals who lack comprehensive training in evidence-based, patient-centered care, an essential component of CODA-accredited education.

ADHA views this legislation as not only a threat to public health, but as a calculated effort to devalue the profession of dental hygiene. If passed, SB495 sets a precedent for similar legislative efforts in other states, weakening the safeguards that ensure competent, ethical care in dental settings.

In response, ADHA is working in close coordination with the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association (NDHA) to stop this bill. They’re directly engaging with state legislators, mobilizing members, and raising national awareness about the dangers of shortcutting educational requirements. Their stance is clear: protecting the public requires maintaining rigorous academic and clinical training standards, not diluting them for convenience or cost. Click here to read more.