New midlevel provider bill introduced in ND

North Dakota lawmakers are once again considering a bill to allow midlevel providers to practice in the state.

A new state House bill, HB 1256, was introduced by Sen. Bill Devlin (R-Finley) on January 18. If passed, the bill would allow licensed dental therapists to practice in North Dakota.

This is the second time that a midlevel provider bill has been proposed in the state. In 2015, the North Dakota Legislature voted against a bill would have allowed certified advanced dental hygienists to perform some dental procedures under a dentist's supervision.

Supporters of the bill include the North Dakota Dental Hygienists' Association and the AARP, while the North Dakota Dental Association opposes the bill, according to a Bismarck Tribune article.