The main goal of the IDHA Legislative Committee is to work in conjunction with our Lobbyist and the Indiana Dental Association

 

Current Legislative Changes impacting Dental Hygiene in Indiana
 

HB 1254 – Various Dental Matters; Respiratory Care
House Bill 1254 proposes updates to dental hygienist qualifications and regulations governing nitrous oxide administration. The bill impacts dental hygienists, respiratory care practitioners, and individuals seeking licensure in Indiana.

If enacted, this legislation would permit dentists educated and trained in foreign countries to obtain licensure as dental hygienists in Indiana by successfully completing the required board examinations and submitting academic transcripts for review and approval by the Indiana Dental Board.

Additionally, HB 1254 would revise the credentialing requirements for Nitrous Oxide certification. Under the proposed changes, certification would no longer be limited to programs accredited solely by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Instead, certification programs approved by the Indiana Dental Board would be acceptable. This change is intended to allow organizations such as the Indiana Dental Association (IDA) and the Indiana Dental Hygienists’ Association (IDHA) to offer qualifying certification courses.

​​
​

SB 180 has similar language and is somewhat a continuation of HB 1254

​

​

 

 

HB 1254 AND SB 180 SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MIKE BRAUN

​

​

IDHA Session Recap

During the 2026 session of the Indiana General Assembly, Sand Strategies closely

monitored legislation impacting the Indiana Dental Hygienists Association, particularly proposals

related to foreign trained dentists (FTDs). As anticipated following earlier discussions between

IDHA and the Indiana Dental Association (IDA), two bills were introduced—HB 1254 as a stand-alone measure

 and SB 180 as a broader bill containing multiple provisions—both allowing

FTDs to practice dental hygiene. Ultimately, both measures passed with identical language,

avoiding any statutory conflict. IDHA maintained a neutral position and did not testify in support

of or opposition to either bill. Throughout the process, Sand Strategies worked closely with IDA

to ensure key safeguards were incorporated, including requiring FTDs to take the same

licensure examination as dental hygienists and, at our recommendation, adding language

clarifying that FTD education transcripts must be submitted in English. These provisions help

protect professional standards while addressing workforce considerations.

 

​

 

Supporting Relationships:

​

In addition to our direct lobbying efforts, we strengthened IDHA’s overall relationships

with key policymakers and policy influencers for strategic advocacy and brand awareness. This

included stakeholders from:

- Indiana General Assembly

- House & Senate leadership, committee chairman, rank and file, executive staff.

- Indiana Executive Branch

- Local units of government

- Member organizations, economic development organizations, industry stakeholders

- HRCC and SMCC

​​​​

SB 174 is no longer active​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​