An Act establishing a dentist diversion program

This bill creates a confidential diversion program in Massachusetts for licensed dentists and dental hygienists struggling with substance use, mental health issues, or physical illnesses that affect their ability to practice safely. Instead of facing immediate license revocation, eligible professionals can voluntarily enter a remediation program that provides evaluation, treatment referrals, and ongoing monitoring to support their recovery. The program requires designated entities to develop individualized recovery plans and report aggregate compliance data to the licensing board while keeping participant records confidential to protect privacy. It also mandates that program staff have no recent disciplinary history and prohibits board members from working within the program to ensure independence.