Bill > B26-0418

This bill establishes the Future Smiles Pilot Program, a two-year career preparation initiative for high school students in the District of Columbia to become Level II Dental Assistants. In School Years 2027-2028 and 2028-2029, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) will partner with a dental educational program to provide classroom instruction and training that prepares students to pass the Certified Dental Assistant examination. The program will cover costs such as student compensation, transportation, and instructional activities. After each class graduates, OSSE will conduct student satisfaction surveys and report detailed program outcomes, including the number of participants, program completion rates, examination pass rates, demographic information, and employment outcomes in various dental settings. A "Level II Dental Assistant" is defined as a registered professional who, under a dentist's direct supervision, can perform advanced dental assistance tasks beyond standard Level I responsibilities, such as taking impressions, applying desensitizing agents, and preparing temporary crowns. The bill requires OSSE to publish program results and include them in the Career and Technical Education State Plan, with the goal of providing high school students with structured dental career preparation and work experience.

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0418