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SB2244 • 2026

Dentists and Dentistry

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 56; Title 63, Chapter 5; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to dental hygienists.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Johnson, Lamberth
Last action
2026-03-17
Official status
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the exact sections of Tennessee's laws that are updated.

Changing Requirements for Dental Hygienists on Board

This bill changes the residency requirement for dental hygienists who are appointed to the Tennessee Board of Dentistry from at least five years to at least six years.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the time a dental hygienist must live and work in Tennessee before being eligible to join the board of dentistry from at least five years to at least six years.
  • Updates several sections of Tennessee's laws related to dental hygienists.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Dental hygienists who want to be appointed to the board of dentistry after July 1, 2026.
  • The Tennessee Board of Dentistry and its rules for appointing dental hygienist members.

Terms To Know

Board of Dentistry
A group that oversees the practice of dentists and dental hygienists in Tennessee.
Residency requirement
The amount of time a person must live and work in a state before they can join certain boards or committees.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not change the requirements for dental hygienists who were appointed to the board before July 1, 2026.
  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone does not meet the new six-year requirement but wants to join the board.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal in s/c Health Subcommittee of Health Committee

  2. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  3. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

  4. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/18/2026

  5. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/18/2026

  6. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/11/2026

  7. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee

  8. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Ref. to Health Committee - Government Operations for Review

  9. 2026-02-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Refer to Senate Health & Welfare Committee

  10. 2026-02-23 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recalled from Senate Commerce & Labor Committee

  11. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

  12. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  13. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  14. 2026-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  15. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  16. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 2556
By Lamberth

SENATE BILL 2244
By Johnson
SB2244
012662
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 56; Title 63, Chapter 5; Title 68 and Title 71,
relative to dental hygienists.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 63-5-103(a)(2), is amended by
deleting "period of five (5) years or more" and substituting "period of six (6) years or more".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to dental hygienist members appointed to the board of dentistry on or after that date.