FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2005
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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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