AUGUSTA - The Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee voted Tuesday to advance a measure from Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, that would examine the feasibility of introducing a new degree program at the University of Maine at Augusta to help bolster Maine's dental care workforce.
As amended, LD 1026 would direct the University of Maine System to conduct a study to explore options for establishing a dental therapy degree program at the University of Maine at Augusta.
Dental therapists are dental hygienists who have continued their training and education at one of five accredited programs in the United States, none of which are located on the East Coast. These practitioners are licensed to provide dental exams, simple restorations, cavity diagnoses, cleanings and prevention education, particularly in areas with chronic routine dental care shortages.
"Maine continues to suffer from an acute shortage of dental care practitioners," said Mastraccio. "This makes access to care nearly impossible, particularly in rural parts of the state. Establishing a program to train dental therapists right here in Maine will go a long way towards improving our capacity to provide this badly needed care."
The bill faces additional votes in 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