Bill > S2854

This bill aims to improve oral health for all Massachusetts residents by implementing several key provisions. It mandates that public schools inform parents about the importance of oral health screenings and requires the Department of Public Health to develop a standard notice with information on oral health's impact on learning and access to affordable dental care. The bill also expands the scope of practice for licensed dental therapists, allowing them to administer certain non-narcotic medications under the supervision of a dentist, and establishes a framework for their licensure, education, and practice, including requirements for collaborative management agreements with supervising dentists. Furthermore, it mandates that community health workers receive training in oral health and requires a five-year evaluation of the impact of dental therapists on patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and access to dental services, with annual reporting on their practice.