2022 legislative report

AzDA expanded practice options and strengthened professional protections

During the 2022 legislative session, AzDA supported measures that expanded dentists' scope of practice, protected payment rights, improved Dental Board processes, and stopped a proposal that would have significantly expanded independent dental hygiene authority.

Practice flexibility Payment protection Regulatory reform Clinical oversight
4 major dental policy matters addressed
3 AzDA-supported measures signed into law
1 scope-expansion proposal successfully stopped
4 areas of dental practice strengthened
Featured practice win

Following an AzDA Sunrise Application, Arizona dentists gained authority to administer botulinum toxin Type A and dermal fillers for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes in the head and neck area.

Expanded scope of practice More treatment options Greater practice flexibility
Results delivered

Signed into law

These AzDA-supported measures expanded treatment options, protected payments, and improved the regulatory system overseeing Arizona dental professionals.

3 new laws
SB1074

Botulinum toxin and dermal filler authority

Signed into law
Practice impact

Qualified dentists may administer botulinum toxin Type A and dermal fillers for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes in the head and neck area.

  • Expands treatment options available within dental practices.
  • Recognizes dentists' education in head and neck anatomy.
  • Allows both therapeutic and cosmetic applications.
  • Provides additional services and practice flexibility.
View enacted legislation ↗
HB2698

Assignment-of-benefits payment protection

Signed into law
Practice impact

Insurers and third-party benefits administrators must honor a patient's direction to send an out-of-network payment directly to the healthcare provider.

  • Closes a gap left after the prior assignment-of-benefits law.
  • Prevents payments from being redirected to patients in violation of their instructions.
  • Reduces avoidable collection problems for dental practices.
  • Requires consistent compliance by third-party administrators.
View enacted legislation ↗
SB1240

Dental Board process and licensing reforms

Signed into law
Regulatory impact

The measure modernized licensing requirements, clarified renewal dates, improved transparency in complaint review, and required that subpoenaed patient records be provided to the Dental Board without charge.

Patient records

Licensees must provide subpoenaed patient records to the Dental Board without charging the Board.

Renewal dates

License expirations were organized into 12 monthly cycles rather than potentially 365 separate dates.

Complaint review

A formal investigative committee established a more transparent, peer-reviewed complaint process.

Clinical examinations

The law removed the outdated statutory reference to a single named regional examination.

Additional progress

AzDA and Dental Board leadership also continued to advocate for greater operating resources. The Board had previously received a $600,000 budget increase, followed by an additional $130,000 for employee pay and statewide technical adjustments.

View enacted legislation ↗
Professional protection

Scope-expansion proposal stopped

AzDA opposed a proposal that would have granted dental hygienists independent diagnostic, treatment-planning, and limited prescriptive authority.

1 bill stopped
SB1112

Independent dental hygiene diagnosis and prescribing

Did not pass
Why AzDA opposed it

The measure would have allowed dental hygienists to independently diagnose dental hygiene conditions, develop treatment plans, and exercise limited prescriptive authority.

The proposal originated from a Sunrise Application submitted by the Arizona Dental Hygiene Association. AzDA successfully opposed the legislation, and it did not become law.

Protections preserved
  • Dentist-led diagnosis and treatment planning.
  • Appropriate clinical oversight.
  • Clear professional accountability.
Your voice at the Capitol

Advocacy protects both daily practice operations and the profession

AzDA works with lawmakers, regulators, and the State Board of Dental Examiners to advance practical reforms, oppose harmful proposals, and improve the systems that Arizona dentists depend on.

Learn more about advocacy Join or renew with AzDA