Vance
Introduces Bill to Improve Access to Dental Care
HARRISBURG -- Legislation
to address the needs of those without access to routine, preventive dental
services recently was introduced by Sen. Patricia Vance (R-Cumberland/York).
“Current state law requires that professional dental services be delivered by or
under the supervision of a dentist,” Vance said. “Some of these requirements
have actually become a barrier to providing a basic level of routine, preventive
dental care to many at-risk people in settings where dentists themselves are
simply not available. In fact, some Medicaid recipients cannot find care at
all.”
Senate Bill 1010 would allow independent dental hygiene practitioners to provide
services within their current scope of practice, in specified institutions such
as nursing homes, schools, mobile dental units and correctional facilities
without the supervision of a dentist. The dental hygiene practitioner would
have to be certified by the State Board of Dentistry as having completed 1,800
hours of practice under the supervision of a licensed dentist and have a
malpractice policy.
The bill was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional
Licensure Committee.
Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and Carroll, Fairview,
Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships and Dillsburg,
Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs in York County.
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