Advocacy is defined as any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.

* Limited Prescriptive Authority Certification (2019)
1. A hygienist may apply for certification to apply fluoride agents, topical oral anesthetic agents and non systemic oral antimicrobials to any patient.
2. The Hygienist must complete a 2 hr Pharmacology course and a board approved prescriptive authority course.

New Legislation in 2026

A dental hygienists may now complete radiographs, assess and record existing hard and soft tissue, perform prophylaxis and apply fluoride agents to anew or existing patient, prior to an examination by a Dentist

A dental hygienist who is in possession of the Limited Prescriptive Authority certification may now apply Fluoride agents, topical oral anesthetics agents, Silver diamine fluoride SDF, curodont, sealants and dessication therapy without prior exam by a Dentist. The Board of Dentistry will determine the educational and training requirements to apply the SDF.

Licensure Portability (2023)

Interstate compacts are contracts between two or more states creating an agreement on a particular policy issue, in this case professional licensure, and adopting a certain standard or cooperating on regional or national matters. The licensure compact is intended to improve license portability by allowing licensees from compact states to be eligible for multistate practice in other compact states.

Inspire a shared vision

**believe you can make a difference**

**envision the future, creating an ideal and unique image of what you and your organization can become.**

**enlist others in the dreams.**

**breathe life into your visions and get people to see exciting possibilities for the future**

TN Hygienists Political Action Committee

Mission:

To ensure the standards of oral health care, protect the integrity of the dental hygiene profession, provide a stronger voice for oral healthcare concerns and promote continued professional growth.

General Information

HYPAC is a separate entity from ADHA in that all funds associated with HYPAC is completely independent from ADHA. The Tennessee Dental Hygienists Association operates under the umbrella of ADHA through a tripartite structure and as such has its own HYPAC (Hygienists for Progress) that operates under the dictates of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and Tennessee state laws

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Past Legislative Accomplishments

•1998-General Supervision For Dental Hygienists.

•1999- Protect the Educational Integrity of Dental Hygiene: Associate Degree From ADA CODA Accredited Program for licensure

2000-Nitrous Oxide Administration

•2002- Expanded Functions for Dental Auxiliaries

•2003- Added “Professional Judgment and Skill to Dental Hygienists' Scope of Practice”

•2004-Administration Of Local Anesthesia

• 2010-Protection Of Continuing Education Standards By Limiting Number of Online CE Credits

•2011-Rewrote/redefined definition of a Dental Hygienist

• 2012-Written Protocol allowing dental hygienists to enter into an agreement with a dentist to provide care, under general supervision, for patients in alternative practice settings: nursing homes, skilled care facilities, nonprofit clinics, and public health programs.

2017 - Teledentistry
2019 – Limited Prescriptive Authority
2020 – Changed Dentists to Dental Hygienist ratio at non-profit clinics like RAM and MOM
2022 - Live interactive Courses are considered in-person continuing Education

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” -James Baldwin

Past HyPac Fundraisers

We have the best of times with our famous Game nights

We go to some amazing places

Donations

The money that is raised through our fundraisers and personal donations are used to support legislators with the shared vision and mission of the TN Dental Hygienists Association. Your contributions help to support our efforts.