HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 46 & 47 - This act modifies the law relating to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental care for the needy.

DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN - Section 167.181, RSMo, currently requires children to be immunized. This act allows a physician to administer the appropriate fluoride treatment to a child during an immunization visit. Under Section 192.070, RSMo, the Department of Health must issue educational literature. This act requires the inclusion of the importance of routine dental care for children in the materials.

Currently, Section 332.072, RSMo, allows dentists or dental hygienists to provide gratuitous dental services to a summer camp for no more than fourteen days per year. This act removes the reference to summer camps, thus allowing such dental services to be provided anywhere, as long as it is for no more than fourteen days per year.

DENTISTS - Currently the Medical School Loan Repayment Program is established for medical and chiropractic students. The Department of Health agrees to pay a portion of a student's school loans in exchange for his or her agreement to practice in a community in need of health care services. This act changes the name to the "Health Professional Loan Repayment Program" and adds dental students to the Program. New language also allows participants to practice in a Primary Care or Dental Care Health Professional Shortage Area. (Sections 191.600 - 191.614).

A donated dental services program is established 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. (Section 332.324).

DENTAL HYGIENISTS - A five member Advisory Commission for Dental Hygienists is established 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, 2002. (Section 332.086).

Currently, dental hygienists are prohibited 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, 2006. (Section 332.311).

Provisions of this act are also contained in CCS/HS/SCS/SB 393 (2001). This act contains an emergency clause for certain sections.
ERIN MOTLEY