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We, the undersigned, are petitioning against the preliminary interest of the Alabama Dental Hygiene Program (ADHP) in the state of South Carolina for the following reasons:

1. Inadequate Training and Education Standards: The ADHP allows dental hygienists to practice with less formal education compared to national standards. This may compromise the quality of care provided to patients and undermine the professional integrity of dental hygiene practice in South Carolina if this preliminary interest is taken into consideration.
2. Poorer Health Outcomes: The ADHP's alternative pathway may not adequately prepare dental hygienists to handle complex dental issues, potentially compromising patient safety and well-being. Moreover, the reduced educational standards could adversely affect the quality of oral health care provided to patients, leading to inadequate treatment of their oral health conditions. This concern is heightened by the potential increase in periodontal disease cases across the state due to insufficiently trained professionals, which may exacerbate overall health issues. Periodontal disease is linked to systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and without comprehensive training, dental hygienists might miss crucial signs of these conditions manifesting in the oral cavity. This gap in training and understanding could result in delayed or inadequate care, ultimately contributing to poorer health outcomes for patients.
3. Increased Disease Risk: The limited training provided to dental hygienists under the Alabama Dental Hygiene Program (ADHP) raises significant concerns about infection control, potentially leading to an increased risk of disease in South Carolina if this preliminary interest is considered. Proper infection control protocols are essential to prevent the spread of infectious diseases within dental settings. Yet, due to the condensed training in the ADHP, dental hygienists might not get sufficient education in maintaining these strict protocols, particularly if the assistant undergoing training lacks CDA-DANB certification. This raises the risk of cross-contamination and infection transmission among both patients and dental staff. This gap in training could have serious public health implications, compromising the safety and well-being of the community.
4. Financial Healthcare Burden: The ADHP's lower educational standards and potential lack of comprehensive training raise significant concerns regarding patient safety and the early detection of health issues through oral indicators. This could lead to compromised care quality and potentially worsen overall health outcomes for patients. Additionally, a fragmented healthcare approach under the ADHP may result in increased healthcare expenditures for the state if this preliminary interest is considered. Suboptimal early intervention and management of preventable conditions could necessitate more intensive and costly treatments later on, imposing a greater financial burden on South Carolina's healthcare system if this is considered. Thus, while the ADHP aims to expand access to dental care, considering this preliminary interest risks diminishing health outcomes for patients and escalating healthcare expenditures for the state.
5. Disparity in Professional Standards: If the preliminary interest of the ADHP is taken into consideration, it could create a disparity between South Carolina and other states that adhere to more rigorous accreditation and educational requirements for dental hygienists. This inconsistency can affect the mobility and recognition of South Carolina-trained dental hygienists in other states.
6. Impact on Employment Opportunities: Dental hygienists trained under the ADHP may encounter difficulties securing employment outside of their state due to the program's lack of national recognition and its misalignment with established accreditation standards. Furthermore, if the preliminary interest of the ADHP is taken into consideration, South Carolina may lose a wealth of experience and knowledge as those trained in accredited programs might move out of state in search of higher wages and less job competition.
7. Undermining Accredited Programs: The ADHP's existence undermines accredited dental hygiene programs that adhere to rigorous educational and clinical training standards, potentially devaluing the profession as a whole.

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