New Hampshire State Senate to Study Oral Health Workforce Expansion
New Hampshire State Senate to Study Oral Health Workforce Expansion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Lindsay Crete; Communications Coordinator; (603)225-2264
Concord, NH. March 28, 2013 Today, the New Hampshire State Senate voted to re-refer Senate Bill 193 a bill designed to improve access to oral health care by expanding the dental team with a dental hygienist practitioner. Under the supervision of a dentist, the dental hygienist practitioner could perform services such as simple extractions or filling a cavity and would focus on preventative as well as routine restorative care.
“Today, New Hampshire lawmakers moved one step further towards improving access to oral health care in New Hampshire,” stated Erika Argersinger, Policy Director for the Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire.
“Changing the dental delivery system isn’t an easy task. Taking time to study SB 193 further will enable stakeholders and legislators to determine the best approach to expanding the dental team in our state thereby making these important services available to all who need them,” stated Argersinger.
One of the most persistent problems in child health and well-being in New Hampshire is a lack of good oral health. Over the past five years, advocates, practitioners and dental professionals have worked to address a crippling lack of access to oral health care that troubles Granite State families.
In some rural areas, a worsening shortage of dentists due partly to a large number nearing retirement age, as well as high transportation costs associated with the long distances residents must drive to reach adequate providers, has resulted in subpar or nonexistent dental treatment for thousands. In 2009, there were more than 16,000 visits to the state’s emergency rooms as a result of preventable dental problems. Medicaid, Medicare and Uncompensated Care pay for 80% of these visits. These visits are costly – in fact, from 2001 to2007, there were close to $27 million in emergency room charges associated with dental conditions in our state.
“Access to oral health care is a challenge for many in our state. This bill expands the dental team with a mid-level practitioner who will bring services out to children whose families struggle to get care due to work hours, economics and/or transportation barriers, “said Argersinger adding, “While New Hampshire has made important strides in improving oral health care in our state, we know that too many children still are not receiving regular oral health services and this impedes their healthy development and ability to learn and reach their full potential.”
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SB 193
To read the full text of the bill, please visit http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2013/SB0193.html
The Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire
The Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire is a statewide, research-based advocacy organization with a 25 year history that collaborates with policy makers, community leaders and advocates improving the lives of all children. For more information about the Children’s Alliance or Oral Health please visit www.childrennh.org and nh.ilikemyteeth.org.