ADHA Mobilizes Opposition to Nevada Bill Threatening Dental Hygiene Education Standards
Urgent action needed as Nevada Senate Bill 495 proposes an alternative licensure pathway, bypassing CODA accreditation requirements
May 22, 2025 – Carson City, Nevada
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) is calling for immediate action from dental hygienists nationwide to oppose Nevada Senate Bill 495, which would create an unprecedented alternative pathway to dental hygiene licensure that bypasses established educational standards.
Sections 77-79 of the fast-tracked legislation would allow individuals to obtain dental hygiene licenses without graduating from programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Instead, candidates could become licensed after completing a Board-approved training course under dentist supervision, followed by examinations that would not require American Dental Association approval.
First of Its Kind Legislation Raises National Concerns
Nevada represents the first state to propose such sweeping changes to dental hygiene licensure requirements, but ADHA President Erin Haley-Hitz warns it likely won’t be the last. “Nevada is the first but likely not the last state where this kind of legislation will be attempted,” Haley-Hitz stated in an urgent letter to members. “Is your state next? It’s time to mobilize.”
The proposed legislation would also expand practice settings and prescribing authority for individuals trained through this alternative model, raising significant concerns about patient safety and care quality among dental hygiene professionals.
Professional Standards Under Threat
ADHA leadership expressed deep alarm about the implications of circumventing established educational standards. “These alterations could lead to inconsistent care, insufficient oversight, and a fragmentation of the collaborative model that supports whole-person oral health,” the association stated in its opposition letter.
The organization emphasized that accreditation standards serve as essential safeguards rather than arbitrary obstacles, ensuring practitioners are thoroughly prepared to deliver safe, high-quality care through rigorous academic and clinical training.
Immediate Action Required
With the legislation being heard today in Nevada’s state capitol, ADHA is urging immediate action from the dental hygiene community:
- Call Governor Lombardo’s Office at (775) 684-5670 to express opposition to Sections 77-79 of Senate Bill 495
- Email the Governor’s Office through the official state contact form
- Request that Sections 77-79 be stricken from the bill entirely
National Implications for the Profession
The ADHA is working closely with the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association (NDHA) to oppose the bill while engaging hygienists across the country to raise awareness about this precedent-setting legislation.
“The ADHA urges every member of the oral health community—educators, clinicians, students, administrators, and stakeholders—to join us in opposing this kind of legislation no matter what state it appears in,” Haley-Hitz emphasized.
The association is calling on all dental hygienists to stay vigilant about similar legislation in their states, engage with local ADHA constituents and state legislators, and advocate for maintaining the high educational standards that define the profession.
Protecting Patient Safety and Professional Integrity
ADHA argues that the proposed changes threaten not only the quality of care delivered by licensed dental hygienists but also reflect concerning trends in healthcare policy that prioritize expedited licensing over comprehensive education and training.
“To advocate for the removal of educational standards or CODA accreditation standards and process, is violating the essential duties of a professional association and its duty of care to protect the public from harmful healthcare practices,” the organization stated.
The association emphasized that maintaining rigorous educational standards is crucial for ensuring all providers are fully prepared to meet the demands of modern oral health care while protecting patient safety and well-being.
As this developing story unfolds, ADHA continues to advocate for policies that uphold educational integrity and preserve the standards that have long defined the dental hygiene profession.
For more information about ADHA’s position on Nevada SB495 or to get involved in advocacy efforts, visit [ADHA website] or contact your local ADHA constituent.
