SCS/SBs 1027 & 815 - This act allows additional persons to provide certain dental treatments to children, establishes a dental hygienist advisory commission, and provides for donated dental services.

Section 167.181 currently requires children to be immunized. This act allows a physician to administer the appropriate fluoride treatment to a child during an immunization visit.

Section 192.070 requires the Bureau of Child Hygiene to issue educational literature. This act requires the inclusion of the importance of routine dental care for children in the materials.

Section 332.086 establishes a five member Advisory Commission for Dental Hygienists to make recommendations to the Missouri Dental Board. It shall include the dental hygienist currently serving on the Dental Board. All members shall be appointed by April 1, 2001. This portion of the act is similar to HB 1413.

Section 332.311 currently prohibits dental hygienists from practicing without the supervision of a dentist. This act creates an exception by allowing a dental hygienist practicing in a public health setting to provide fluoride treatments, teeth cleaning, and sealants to children who are eligible for Medicaid. These procedures may be done without the supervision of a dentist. Medicaid shall reimburse all dentists, dental hygienists and pediatricians who provide the above services at seventy-five percent of the usual and customary cost, which will be determined by the Division of Medical Services. Public health settings will be defined jointly by the Department of Health and the Missouri Dental Board. This provision will expire on August 28, 2005.

Section 332.324 allows the establishment of a donated dental services program for certain eligible persons. The Department of Health may contract with the Missouri Dental Board or other organizations to provide certain free dental services to eligible needy, disabled, elderly, and medically-compromised individuals. The administering organization must submit an annual report to the Department and the Department must establish eligibility criteria. This portion of the act is similar to SB 974.
ERIN MOTLEY