Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB431: Dental hygienists; those employed by SDH or making educational demonstrations may practice under general supervision.
Status: Signed into law, February 23, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-9-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE DENTAL HYGIENISTS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH OR PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS WHO ARE PERFORMING ORAL HYGIENE INSTRUCTION AND SCREENING AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS WHO ARE MAKING PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS OF DENTAL HYGIENE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES TO PERFORM THOSE ACTIVITIES UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION OF REGULARLY LICENSED AND REGISTERED DENTISTS WITHOUT HAVING TO MEET THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS FOR PRACTICE UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend section 73-9-5, mississippi code of 1972, to authorize dental hygienists employed by the state board of health or public school boards who are performing oral hygiene instruction and screening and dental hygienists who are making public demonstrations of dental hygiene for educational purposes to perform those activities under the general supervision and direction of regularly licensed and registered dentists without having to meet the other requirements and conditions for practice under general supervision; and for related purposes.
From the enrolled text, February 11, 2026:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-9-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE DENTAL HYGIENISTS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH OR PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARDS WHO ARE PERFORMING ORAL HYGIENE INSTRUCTION AND SCREENING AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS WHO ARE MAKING PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS OF DENTAL HYGIENE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES TO PERFORM THOSE ACTIVITIES UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION AND DIRECTION OF REGULARLY LICENSED AND REGISTERED DENTISTS WITHOUT HAVING TO MEET THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS FOR PRACTICE UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 73-9-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 73-9-5. (1) For the purpose of this chapter, a dental hygienist shall be an individual who has completed an accredited dental hygiene education program, passed the national dental hygiene board and is licensed by the State Board of Dental Examiners to provide, as an auxiliary to the dentist, preventive care services including, but not limited to, scaling and polishing. In fulfilling these services, dental hygienists provide treatment that helps to prevent oral disease such as *HR26/R1449SG* H. B. No. 431 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR26/R1449SG PAGE 1 (RF\KW) dental caries and periodontal disease and for educating patients in prevention of these and other dental problems. (2) No person shall practice dental hygiene in a manner that …