A historic oral health omnibus bill, born out of a collaboration between leadership in Senate and the oral health community, passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday. Likened by Senator Tarr to the compromise achieved in health reform legislation, this bill unifies dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and advocates in their quest to enhance the oral health workforce and strengthen the state’s oral health infrastructure. If enacted, Senate 2819 would do the following:
- Provide statutory authority for the Office of Oral Health.
- Bring the MassHealth dental director position to full-time.
- Formalize the relationship between the Department of Public Health’s Office of Oral Health and MassHealth.
- Create a dental director position within the Department of Public Health.
- Establish a public health dental hygienist classification.
- Provide a professional track and registration for dental assistants.
With only a few days left in the legislative session, time is running out to ensure passage of this historic bill. You can help shape history by urging your Representative to contact Speaker DiMasi and Chairman DeLeo in support of S. 2819. Click here for more information on how to contact your Representative.
Jaime Corliss
