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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2007
Contact: Tracy Polovick
Coordinator of Communications and Outreach
(717) 787-8524
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Governor Signs Vance Bill to Loosen Barriers to Routine Dental Care

HARRISBURG – The Governor today signed Sen. Pat Vance's (R-Cumberland/York) legislation that improves access to routine, preventive dental care.

The new law allows public health dental hygiene practitioners to practice without the supervision of a dentist in specific institutions such as nursing homes, schools, correctional facilities and federally qualified health centers. In order to participate, a public health dental hygiene practitioner must complete 3,600 hours of practice under the supervision of a licensed dentist and have a malpractice policy in addition to the standard dental hygienist requirements. Current law requires dental services be delivered by or under the supervision of a dentist.

"I'm pleased that those experiencing problems accessing dental care will now have access to other providers," Vance said. "There is no reason why those on medical assistance, children in Head Start and seniors in nursing homes should not be receiving routine, preventive dental care. As Ben Franklin said, 'An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.'"

The law goes into effect in 60 days.

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.