Senate backs dental hygienist bill
The Maine Senate gave initial approval to a bill that would open a new mid-level job in the dental profession, which supporters say could improve access to dental care in rural areas.
The Portland Press Herald reported dentists have strongly opposed the measure, saying in three to four years that graduates from the University of New England’s new dental school will alleviate the current shortage of dentists. Maine has about 600 practicing dentists, the fewest per capita in New England, the paper reported.
The bill, which received a 19-16 vote in the Senate Thursday, creates a licensing process for “mid-level dental therapists,” who would be able to do more dental work than dental hygienists, like filling cavities, but would not receive training as dentists. The bill’s supporters said the proposal would not allow therapists to open private practices. The proposal requires more votes by the Legislature before heading to the governor’s desk.
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