An Act to enhance oral health through public health dental hygienists

This bill aims to improve oral health in Massachusetts by allowing dentists to work in written collaborative agreements with public health dental hygienists. To support this partnership, the legislation prohibits medical malpractice insurers from denying coverage to dentists solely because they have entered such an agreement. Additionally, the bill requires that if a claim is made against a public health dental hygienist, the dentist and their insurer must cover the costs rather than the hygienist. These changes are designed to facilitate team-based care without creating financial barriers for dentists who choose to work alongside public health hygienists.