AUGUSTA - Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, D-Sanford, introduced legislation Tuesday that would increase access to oral health care in Maine by expanding the Maine Dental Education Loan Program.
Currently, the program provides loans and loan repayment assistance to dentists practicing in underserved areas of the state. 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 this loan program targeting dentists was introduced, and too many Mainers still can't access the care they need," said Mastraccio. " Studies have shown that dental therapists and other dental care practitioners increase a practice's capacity to treat patients. If we are going to meaningfully address the critical oral health care shortage in this state, we must extend incentive programs like this one to a broader range of dental care practitioners."
The Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks.
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], 305-965-2744