Ohio Law enhances access to dental care
June 7, 2010 by myadmin
Filed under Industry Snapshots
State Rep. Lorraine M. Fende sponsored a bill in May 2009 aimed to improve access to dental care has passed the Ohio General Assembly in Columbus.
The goal behind House Bill 190, is to increase the access especially in places such as nursing homes, facilities for the developmentally disabled and Veteran’s Administration clinics , and would allow dentists to send hygienists into these settings to provide cleanings and other hygiene services at locations outside of the dental office.
Dentists would be required to review the health history of each patient prior to the provision of dental hygiene services to make certain that those services can be provided safely.
Patients seen by a hygienist under public oral health supervision will have a subsequent appointment set with the dentist for the purposes of a diagnosis and treatment plan.
The Ohio Department of Health deems access to dental care as the most unmet health care need for Ohio’s children and low-income adults, Fende said.
