Expanding oral health equity and increasing access to preventive dental care.

SB 6146 creates a new licensed role for "oral preventive assistants" to expand access to preventive dental care, particularly for children and families in underserved communities facing dental workforce shortages. The bill establishes a licensing process requiring approved training and defines their scope of practice to include services like dental cleanings (prophylaxis) and periodontal probing under a dentist's supervision. It also creates a pathway for internationally trained dentists to apply for dental hygiene licensure in Washington if they meet competency standards. These changes aim to strengthen the dental workforce and improve oral health equity statewide.