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ME LD1746

ME LD1746
An Act to Reduce Dental Disease and Ensure Access to Essential Preventive Dental Care Among Maine Children


summary

Introduced
04/22/2025
In Committee
04/22/2025
Crossed Over
06/09/2025
Passed
06/10/2025
Dead

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
132nd Legislature

Bill Summary

This bill does the following. 1. It delays the requirement for oral health services to be available in all schools from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2027 and clarifies that the requirement applies only to public schools. 2. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop public-private partnerships to establish a model to provide for mobile dental services providers to provide additional preventive oral health and disease intervention services in schools based on the model in the Cumberland County School Oral Health Project. It requires the department to provide for at least one mobile dental services provider in each public health district per school year. 3. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide training and education to primary care providers on minimally invasive dental disease treatment for infants and small children using guidance from the From the First Tooth program or its successor program and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatricians are encouraged to use silver diamine fluoride in primary care settings to reduce dental disease and prevent cavities. 4. It makes permanent 2 previously established limited positions related to provided oral health services in public schools within the Department of Health and Human Services, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

AI Summary

This bill aims to improve dental health for children in Maine by making several key changes. First, it delays the requirement for oral health services in schools from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2027, and clarifies that this requirement applies only to public schools. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop public-private partnerships to establish mobile dental services in schools, modeled after the Cumberland County School Oral Health Project, with the goal of having at least one mobile dental provider in each public health district per school year. Additionally, the department will provide training to primary care providers on minimally invasive dental treatments for infants and young children, using guidance from the From the First Tooth program and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and encouraging pediatricians to use silver diamine fluoride (a liquid that can help prevent and slow tooth decay) in primary care settings. Lastly, the bill makes permanent two previously established positions within the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to support oral health services in public schools, with funding allocated from the Federal Expenditures Fund.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

CARRIED OVER, in the same posture, to any special or regular session of the 132nd Legislature, pursuant to Joint Order SP 800. (on 06/25/2025)

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