In Massachusetts, a health care appropriation bill was unveiled by Massachusetts Senate leaders on Tuesday, October 17.  Among many other provisions, the bill includes language seeking to establish dental therapists. 

The appropriations bill language adds to a robust debate already taking place in the Massachusetts legislature on dental therapists.  Massachusetts legislators have considered proposals to establish dental therapists, as well a competing bill seeking to create a midlevel provider who would be required to work under the direct supervision of a dentist.

In California, AB 1277 was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown.  The bill directs the Dental Board of California to amend regulations and minimum standards for infection control to require water or other methods used for irrigation to be sterile or contain disinfecting or antibacterial properties.

The bill mandates the Board to adopt final regulations by December 31, 2018.

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The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), has created an Occupational Licensing Policy Consortium.  The consortium consists of members from ten participating states, and is seeking to provide a forum to share occupational licensing information across states, and to identify licensing policies that create barriers to employment.

The consortium will hold their first meeting December 4-6. 

If you would like more information on legislative matters in your state, or are interested in carrying out advocacy on AGD issues, please contact us at advocacy@agd.org or visit the AGD’s Advocacy webpage.