Bill > S1215

This bill aims to improve oral health for all Massachusetts residents. The key provisions include: - Requiring public schools to notify parents/guardians about the importance of oral health screenings, and requiring the Department of Public Health to develop a standard notice with information on primary teeth, the link between oral and overall health, contact information for local public health departments, and information on affordable dental care programs. - Expanding the types of healthcare professionals who can administer certain controlled substances, including allowing licensed dental therapists to administer non-narcotic analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics under the supervision of a practitioner. - Establishing a new dental therapist license and scope of practice, including allowing them to perform certain procedures like placing fillings, applying temporary crowns, and extracting primary teeth under the supervision of a dentist through a collaborative management agreement. - Requiring at least 50% of a dental therapist's patient panel to consist of underserved populations like Medicaid recipients and individuals living in dental health provider shortage areas. - Requiring the Department of Public Health to evaluate the impact of dental therapists on patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and access to care over a 5-year period.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1215