AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval Thursday to a bill sponsored by Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, which would increase access to oral health care by expanding the Maine Dental Education Loan Program.
Currently, the program only provides loans and loan repayment assistance to dentists practicing in underserved areas of Maine. LD 1256 would expand the loan program to other licensed dental professionals including dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental assistants and expanded function dental assistants.
"It has been over 20 years since the loan program for dentists was introduced, and still folks can't access needed dental care," said Mastraccio. " Studies have shown that dental therapists and other dental care practitioners increase a practices capacity to treat patients. I am pleased to see early bipartisan support for this measure which, will enable a broader range of dental care practitioners to enter the workforce in Maine."
The bill faces further votes in both the House and Senate.
Mastraccio is serving her fifth non-consecutive term in the Maine House of Representatives and is a member of the Legislature's Government Oversight Committee and the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee. She represents House District 142, which includes a portion of Sanford and Springvale.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Mastraccio], c. 305-965-2744