The Senate Business and Labor Committee voted 4–1 on Feb. 25 to favorably recommend House Bill 372 (third substitute), a comprehensive rewrite of the Dental Practice Act that modernizes definitions, creates an expanded-functions certification program for dental hygienists and assistants and tightens rules to prevent unlicensed third parties from practicing dentistry.

Representative Megan DeFe, sponsor of the bill, said the statute needed modernization and that the rewrite balances patient safety with expanded scope opportunities. "The first goal is to rewrite, update, and clarify the dental practice act...The second aim of the bill is to protect patients from bad actors," DeFe said, adding that the bill creates an expanded functions program overseen by the Department of Professional Licensing (DOPL).

Under the bill, DOPL would set education and competency standards for certifications that authorize certain additional tasks for hygienists and assistants (the bill cited examples such as placing fillings, coronal adhesive removal and administering neuromodulators). The bill allows expanded functions only after required education, certification and DOPL oversight, the sponsor said.

Medical witnesses and dermatologic surgeons raised safety concerns about delegating botulinum toxin injections. Michelle Macomber of the Utah Medical Association warned that adverse reactions—ranging from temporary facial weakness or drooping to rare breathing difficulties—can occur and that complications commonly take several days to manifest. "We want to work with the sponsor and make sure that this is narrowed to what it is that dental hygienists do and what, even, dentists do in terms of TMJ or something," Macomber said.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Alicia Figerio and dermatologic surgeon Eric Milliken also opposed broad delegation of injectable procedures. Milliken flagged language in the bill that would allow delegated botulinum-toxin treatment under indirect supervision and said, "in its current state, I would oppose it as it's written now," citing the lack of an immediate rescue treatment if an injection is performed incorrectly.

Supporters from the dental community—General Dentist Scott Tyre, dental specialist Jeff Stoker and others—told the committee the bill clarifies supervision, authorizes delegation consistent with training and instructs DOPL to create formal certifications and curricula. "This bill specifically changes the supervision of hygienists and dental assistants to reflect the reality of oversight in almost all dental offices and clinics," Tyre said.

The committee moved the bill by motion; the vote was 4–1, with Senator McKay recorded as the lone no vote. Sponsor DeFe and members said they are open to targeted language changes (including narrowing injectable-delegation provisions) before floor action.