Senate Bill S7355

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S7355

SPONSOR: STAVISKY
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to permitting dentists to
administer vaccinations against human papillomavirus

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 6601 of the education law to authorize dentists
to administer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations.

Section 2 provides for an immediate effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted
infection in the country. It can be spread in many ways, including oral-
ly, and can lead to significant and serious medical diseases, including
but not limited to certain types of cancers. Every dentist in New York
must have a four-year undergraduate degree, complete four years of
              

dental school, complete a one-year residency program, and pass a
National Dental Board examination. Dentists can administer Novocain and
other injectable medications. From a clinical perspective, dentists
certainly are just as qualified to administer vaccines as other profes-
sionals, such as pharmacists, nurses, physician assistants, and other
health paraprofessionals currently authorized to administer vaccines.

From a public health perspective, allowing dentists to administer HPV
vaccinations makes sense. Dentists frequently communicate with primary
care professionals and other medical professionals to provide wholistic
care around a patient. This is particularly true where the dentist works
in or with a federally qualified health clinic (FQHC).  FQHCs provide a
wide range of services -- including specialty, dental, sexual health,
and primary and preventive care -- to underserved communities.

Allowing dentists to administer vaccinations provides patients with
immediate access. Dentists can address questions and, when appropriate,
administer vaccinations when a patient is already at a medical appoint-
ment. This saves the patient from having to go somewhere else, take
additional time off from work or school and/or find someone to take care
of a family member.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

None

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.