Public Health Supervision Permit Available

Did you know…Current law allows dental hygienists to provide the following services in healthcare facilities and public health settings without the supervision of a dentist?

Services allowable:
1. Oral prophylaxis for healthy children who do not require prophylactic antibiotic coverage (children only)
2. Pulp vitality testing (children or adults)
3. Application of fluorides (children or adults)
4. Application of sealants and other topical agents for the prevention of oral disease (children or adults)
5. Perform duties that any dental assistant is authorized to perform (children or adults)

In order for a hygienist to practice under the new law, you must:
1. Have a current Nebraska dental hygiene license
2. Have 3,000 hours of clinical experience in 4 of the preceding 5 calendar years
3. Carry professional liability coverage
4. Complete & submit to the Dept. of Health & Human Services a completed application form. (see above section)

There is no cost to apply for the permit. Once you receive your permit number, you are eligible to provide services as mentioned. You must keep the Dept. of Health & Human Services informed of services you’re providing and you must inform all patients that the treatment they are receiving does not constitute a complete dental diagnosis of care. Applications are available by contacting Vonda Apking at: vonda.apking@dhss.ne.gov or you can down load above section.

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Nebraska Office of Oral Health and Dentistry

Nebraska Hygienist Survey Information

Medicaid Reimbursement Codes For Dental Hygienists

(NOTE: Reimbursable codes may change from time to time…we recommend you contact Medicaid directly for an up-to-date list of allowable services. Here is the link to the Nebraska Medicaid Program Provider Information Dental Provider Handbook http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/med/phden.htm)

Nebraska dental hygienists are eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursement for various procedures. Did you know that hygienists who hold a Nebraska public health permit are already utilizing these codes and receiving reimbursement? When you receive your Medicaid provider number and national provider identification number, you are eligible to submit for reimbursement for several procedures. Nebraska is the 14th state to recognize dental hygienists as Medicaid providers. Many thanks to the NDHA legislative committee for working hard to accomplish this goal!

Medicaid Reimbursement Codes
D0140 – limited oral evaluation, $16.00

D0145 – oral evaluation for patient under 3 years of age & counseling with primary caregiver, $27.00

D0170 – re-evaluation-limited, problem focused (established patient, not post-operative visit), $16.00

D0210 – intraoral-complete series (including bitewings), $45.00

D0220 – intraoral – periapical first film $6.00

D0230 – intraoral – periapical each additional film, $5.00

D0240 – intraoral – occlusal film, $7.00

D0270 – bitewing – single file, $8.00

D0272 – bitewing – two films, $13.00

D0273 – bitewings – three films, $15.00

D0274 – bitewings – four films, $18.00

D0277 – bitewings – 7-8 films, $18.00

D0330 – panoramic film, $34.00

There is a coverage criteria/limitations on D0210-D030. Refer to 471 NAC Regulations.

D0470 – diagnostic casts, $46.00 (refer to coverage criteria/limitations)

D1110 – prophylaxis – adult (age 14 and older), $31.00

D1120 – prophylaxis – child (age 13 and younger), $21.00

D1203 – topical application of fluoride (prophylaxis not included) – child, $9.00

D1204 – topical application of fluoride (prophylaxis not included) – adult, $9.00

D1206 – topical fluoride varnish, therapeutic-application for moderate to high risk caries patients, $10.00

D1351 – sealant per tooth, $22.00

We encourage you to become familiar with coverage criteria/limitations with each of these codes. Please read Nebraska statutes (link listed at the top of this site) regarding which procedures a dental hygienist can provide in various settings and whether or not DDS supervision is required. We also recommend you follow Medicaid Rules and Regulations in 471 NAC.

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Nebraska Dental Hygiene Initiative(NDHI)

Looking for ways to fund your newest public health endeavors? The Nebraska Dental Hygiene Initiative (NDHI), a 501©3 subsidiary company of NDHA, has been formed and is an official entity. This newly founded corporation will allow RDH’s across the state of NE to apply for grant opportunities to practice in public health settings and healthcare facilities as stated in the dental hygiene statutes. For more information, please contact Annette Byman: 402-965-3514 or annettebyman@hotmail.com.

NDHA…is keeping you informed and YOU…must keep NDHA informed…

NDHA has sponsored continuing education courses in NE component areas entitled “Putting New Legislation Into Practice” and “Grant Writing Opportunities for the Dental Hygienist”.

Please keep NDHA informed of grant applications and new endeavors on your behalf regarding our new scope of practice allowing dental hygienists the ability to provide select services in a healthcare facility or public health setting. We invite you to share your successes with us!!

NDHA would like to feature hygienists who are reaching out to the underserved and unserved areas in Nebraska in our Nebraskaland Explorer newsletter. If you are practicing with the NE public health permit, please contact Annette Byman so we can include you in a future newsletter article.