Bill > H2410

This bill aims to improve oral health access and care in Massachusetts through several key provisions. It establishes a new role of dental therapists, who will be licensed healthcare professionals working under the supervision of dentists and able to perform a range of dental procedures, with a focus on serving underserved populations. Public schools will be required to notify parents about the importance of oral health screenings, and the department of public health will develop a standard notice form with information about dental care. The bill allows dental therapists to administer certain non-narcotic medications, perform specific dental procedures, and work under both direct and general supervision of a dentist through a collaborative management agreement. The dental director will be responsible for recruiting and supporting dental health providers, with a goal of increasing preventive dental services to vulnerable populations like pediatric and geriatric patients. The bill also requires community health workers to receive oral health education and mandates a comprehensive 5-year evaluation of dental therapists' impact on patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and access to dental services. Additionally, the legislation ensures that at least 50% of a dental therapist's patient panel must consist of MassHealth members or underserved individuals, helping to address dental care disparities in the state.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2410