AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS

SB 609 allows public-health dental hygienists working in settings like schools, nursing homes, or government clinics to be directly reimbursed by Medicaid for services they provide. It also permits the local/state agencies or mobile dental programs employing these hygienists to seek reimbursement from other insurers or Medicare, which was previously restricted. The bill requires hygienists to obtain patient consent forms explaining services aren’t a substitute for a dentist visit and to arrange follow-up dental exams within 90 days. It maintains that hygienists must operate under a collaborative agreement with a dentist or agency, ensuring patient safety and care coordination. This change aims to improve access to preventive dental care in underserved community settings while clarifying billing rules for public-health programs.