Bill > S1169

This bill aims to establish dental therapists as a new level of dental practitioners in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Defining "dental therapist" and the educational and licensing requirements to become one, including passing a competency-based exam and obtaining professional liability insurance. 2. Allowing dental therapists to perform a range of services under the supervision of a licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement, such as interpreting x-rays, placing space maintainers, and performing limited extractions. 3. Requiring the Board of Registration in Dentistry to evaluate the impact of dental therapists on patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and access to dental services over a 5-year period, and to report their findings to the legislature. The overall goal of the bill is to expand access to oral healthcare by authorizing a new type of dental practitioner, the dental therapist, to provide certain services under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S1169