Limited Access Permit – LAP
Aug 2023: Board of Dentistry News regarding LAP Rule Draft.
The Board of Dentistry will be discussing the LAP Rule Draft regarding additional facilities in which LAPs may practice. The following information is from BOD Executive Officer Lucy Richards:
- This is the same draft that was presented to board members and stakeholders in June 2022. No action has been taken since.
- These rule amendments will be a non-action discussion item on the 9/8 meeting agenda with an opportunity for public comment followed by board discussion.
- If LAPs or MDHA have any comments or questions on the draft as it stands prior to that meeting please let me know. Depending on the questions or comments if I receive them by August 16 then I can potentially work them into my memo and the information that I put into the agenda item for the board book.
- Public comment at the 9/8 meeting will be welcome as well. Board discussion will follow public comment.
- As I’ve mentioned, the department and Governor’s Office rulemaking priorities are heavily focused on implementing legislation as a whole. However, my plan would be to put the final draft of the proposal notice on the subsequent meeting agenda as an action item following review and approval by the Governor’s office. It would be at that meeting the board would vote to move forward with the formal rulemaking process.
During the 2003 Legislative Session, Senate Bill 190, was passed. This allows for public health supervision of a dental hygienist who has additional licensure called the Limited Access Permit (LAP). This law allows a Montana licensed dental hygienist to provide dental hygiene preventive services without the prior authorization or presence of a licensed dentist in a designated public setting. To work under “public health supervision”, a dental hygienist must obtain a Limited Access Permit from the Board of Dentistry.
With this service may of the underserved have now been receiving care. See the Success Stories to read about some of the pioneers of the Limited Access Permit and their touching stories. T
here are some important steps that each applicant must take to receive this additional licensure, but as you read the stories there are many ways to provide the care. It can be as simple as working on the patient in a wheelchair or bed in their private room to a fully equipped dental clinic. Start small and grow. The potential is endless!
Limited Access Permit Application, MT Board of Dentistry
Limited Access Permit Information
How to Apply to be a Medicaid Provider
To Apply for the National Provider Identifier Number (NPI#) 1st step in becoming Medicaid Provider
Apply to be a Medicaid Provider 2nd step, need NPI# 1st
All licensing info and applications The Board of Dentistry handles LAP applications.
