Maryland Commission to Study the Dental Hygienist Shortage - Establishment

SB 492 establishes the Maryland Commission to Study the Dental Hygienist Shortage, a 13-member group tasked with examining the state's dental hygienist workforce gaps. The commission includes representatives from state health and education departments, dental hygiene schools, professional associations (like the Maryland Dental Hygienists’ Association), rural health groups, and community colleges. It will assess how the shortage impacts oral health across rural, suburban, and urban areas, then recommend strategies to improve recruitment, retention, and education opportunities for dental hygienists. The commission must submit an interim report by December 1, 2025, and a final report by December 1, 2026, after which the bill expires.