The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) has called on Arizona senators to oppose a recent House amendment to Senate Bill 1037, citing concerns that the measure would weaken educational standards for oral preventive assistants (OPAs) and pose risks to patient safety.
According to the association, the amendment to SB 1037 would eliminate the requirement that dental assistants complete training programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) in order to qualify as OPAs. Instead, the amendment would permit training through any licensed private postsecondary educational institution, as long as it meets minimal state criteria.
“This change opens the door for non-CODA-accredited programs to train OPA students, lowering educational standards and jeopardizing patient safety,” said Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, president of the ADHA.
The ADHA sent a letter to Arizona Senate leadership on June 19 stating its formal opposition to the amendment, which passed the Arizona House on June 18 and is expected to return to the Senate for a final vote before the legislative session ends on June 30.
According to the ADHA, Senate Bill 1124, recently signed into law, had originally included CODA-accreditation as a requirement for dental assistants seeking to practice as OPAs. The new amendment to SB 1037 would reverse that provision.
The letter sent to lawmakers stated that the amendment “was heavily influenced by lobbying from for-profit private dental assisting schools, prioritizing financial interests over the public’s oral health.”
“CODA standards exist to ensure consistency, safety, and competence in dental care,” the letter continued. “Circumventing these standards undermines the profession and endangers the communities we serve.”
In its message to legislators, the ADHA emphasized the urgency of halting the bill. “We respectfully request that the Senate refuse to concur with the House amendments and take immediate action to stop SB 1037 in its tracks,” the letter said.
The ADHA also launched a public campaign urging Arizona dental hygienists and residents to contact their state senators. According to the association, the Voter Voice campaign is intended to mobilize opposition to the bill before the session ends. Arizona residents can take action by visiting adha.org/AZSB1037.
ADHA’s letter further stated: “Allowing this bill to move forward would erode public trust in dental education and care and could set a dangerous precedent for lowering professional standards statewide.”
The full letter can be read at adha.org/AZSB1037Letter.
For more information about the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and its advocacy work, visit adha.org.
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