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An Act To Allow Dental Hygienists To Prescribe Fluoride Dentifrice and Antibacterial Rinse
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §1094-Q, sub-§1, ¶¶N and O, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 620, Pt. B, §1, are amended to read:
 
N. Place temporary restorations in compliance with the protocol adopted by the board; and
 
O. Apply topical antimicrobials, excluding antibiotics, including fluoride, for the purposes of bacterial reduction, caries control and desensitization in the oral cavity. The independent practice dental hygienist shall follow current manufacturer's instructions in the use of these medicaments.;
Sec. 2.  32 MRSA §1094-Q, sub-§1, ¶¶P and Q  are enacted to read:
 
P.  Prescribe dentifrice with a fluoride level of 5,000 parts per million or less; and
 
Q.  Prescribe chlorhexidine oral rinse.
Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §1094-HH, sub-§§8 and 9, as enacted by PL 2013, c. 575, §7, are amended to read:
 
8. Radiographs.   Administer radiographs; and
 
9. Other related services and functions.   Perform other related services and functions authorized by the supervising dentist and for which the dental hygiene therapist is trained.;
Sec. 4.  32 MRSA §1094-HH, sub-§§10 and 11  are enacted to read:
 
10.  Dentifrice.     Prescribe dentifrice with a fluoride level of 5,000 parts per million or less; and
 
11.  Chlorhexidine.     Prescribe chlorhexidine oral rinse.
Sec. 5.  32 MRSA §1098-F  is enacted to read:
§ 1098-F. Prescription authority
A dental hygienist licensed under this subchapter may prescribe dentifrice with a fluoride level of 5,000 parts per million or less and chlorhexidine oral rinse.
 
SUMMARY
This bill amends the law to allow dental hygienists to prescribe dentifrice with a fluoride level of 5,000 parts per million or less and chlorhexidine oral rinse.