New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed into law a bill that allows dental hygienists to use nitrous oxide and local infiltration anesthesia to assist dentists with dental procedures.
Under the law, dental hygienists can administer or monitor nitrous oxide analgesia or local infiltration anesthesia in practice after receiving certification. These services can only be provided by hygienists under the personal supervision of a dentist, according to a May 12 news release from the New York State Dental Association.
The law goes into effect immediately.