True or False: The Iowa Dental Board must adopt recommendations from the Dental Hygiene Committee unless it expands the scope of practice.

True or False: The Iowa Dental Board must adopt recommendations from the Dental Hygiene Committee unless it expands the scope of practice.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if approved by the Governor
• D. Only if there is consensus among hygienists

Answer: (A)

In Iowa, the policies and recommendations developed by the Dental Hygiene Committee are essential for guiding the practice of dental hygiene. The statement is accurate because it emphasizes that the Iowa Dental Board is generally required to adopt these recommendations, maintaining consistency and uniformity within the dental hygiene profession. However, the critical point is that if implementing these recommendations would result in an expansion of the dental hygienists' scope of practice, the Board would not be obligated to adopt them. This safeguard ensures that the scope of practice remains within the established legal frameworks and does not inadvertently authorize practices beyond what is legislatively permitted. By requiring the Board to adopt such recommendations unless they lead to an expansion in practice, the system ensures that changes to dental hygiene protocols reflect evidence-based practices while safeguarding public health and professional standards within the profession.

In Iowa, the policies and recommendations developed by the Dental Hygiene Committee are essential for guiding the practice of dental hygiene. The statement is accurate because it emphasizes that the Iowa Dental Board is generally required to adopt these recommendations, maintaining consistency and uniformity within the dental hygiene profession. However, the critical point is that if implementing these recommendations would result in an expansion of the dental hygienists' scope of practice, the Board would not be obligated to adopt them. This safeguard ensures that the scope of practice remains within the established legal frameworks and does not inadvertently authorize practices beyond what is legislatively permitted.

By requiring the Board to adopt such recommendations unless they lead to an expansion in practice, the system ensures that changes to dental hygiene protocols reflect evidence-based practices while safeguarding public health and professional standards within the profession.