In 2023 Nevada became the first state to require an in-person exam prior to orthodontic treatment. Since then – after continuing AAO advocacy – three states, Florida, Illinois and now Utah have established the in-person exam requirement in statute for patient health and safety.
Utah’s House Bill 372 was signed into law by Governor Spencer Cox on March 25, 2025. This development is thanks to the combined efforts of AAO Advocacy and AAO member grassroots engagement, and to all members in Utah having taken grassroots action to support this bill.
HB372 is a comprehensive update to the Utah Dental Practice Act. The primary goals of the legislation were to modernize, simplify, clarify, and update the Act. Key provisions include:
● Expanded functions for dental auxiliaries, which will help address the Utah Association of Orthodontists’ (UAO) goal of clarifying regulations around coronal adhesive removal by dental assistants who undergo additional training;
● The above-noted requirement for an in-person examination and also for a radiograph prior to orthodontic treatment.
The multi-year effort in Utah was supported by the AAO Component Legal Support Fund with assistance from the Utah Dental Association. The legislation began advancing rapidly through the legislative process in February, moving favorably through the Utah House of Representatives and soon after, passing out of the Utah Senate Business and Labor Committee before a successful full-chamber vote.
Special thanks to Utah State Representative Ariel Defay, Dr. David Defay of the AAO Council on Government Advocacy, Dr. Jeffrey Stoker, AAO National Advocacy Network Component Advocacy Liaison for Utah; Dr. Bart Goldberry, AAOPAC Captain for Utah, Dr. Morris Poole of the AAOPAC Board of Directors; Dr. Myron Guymon, past AAO president, and in-state AAO counsel Jordan Garn. Strong leadership from Drs. Defay and Stoker, and the entire team of AAO grassroots advocacy leaders in recent years had a great impact on the success of this effort.
