Legislative
Victories
Through the years, PDA has used
dentists’ collective voice in the legislative
arena to accomplish great things:
PASSED legislation limiting the time frame in
which insurers may retroactively review and
deny dental claims to 24 months. REINSTATED funding in the state budget
for Dental Lifeline Network’s Donated Dental
Services program.
PASSED legislation prohibiting insurers from
capping fees for dental services which are not
covered in a patient’s plan. SECURED additional funding in the state’s
health care practitioner loan forgiveness
program for dentists who agree to practice in
shortage areas in exchange for student loan
forgiveness.
PASSED legislation requiring insurers to cover
the cost of general anesthesia when needed to
treat patients of any age with special needs or
children seven years of age or younger.
PASSED legislation allowing out-of-state
dentists to apply for temporary licenses so
that they may volunteer at charitable events or
assist during states of emergency.
PASSED legislation that expands the scope
of practice for expanded function dental
assistants to include some hygiene functions
performed under dentists’ direct supervision.
AMENDED legislation requiring dentists to
carry malpractice insurance by including an
exemption for dentists with volunteer licenses
and those who practice in community based
settings.
AMENDED legislation to safeguard patients
and require additional training and education
for public health dental hygiene practitioners
practicing independently in public settings.
To learn more about current legislative
efforts visit the Government Relations section
of the website: www.padental.org/advocacy.
DEFEATED legislation that would have
required dentists to submit proof of having
paid taxes before renewing their dental license,
threatening their livelihood if the state made
mistakes processing this information.
DEFEATED legislation allowing municipalities
to remove fluoride from water supplies without
prior notification to the public or Department
of Environmental Protection.
REMOVED provisions in a city ordinance that
required dentists to install amalgam separators
and display a poster in their offices needlessly
alarming patients about the dangers of
“mercury amalgam.”
TRANSFORMED the dental profession by
convincing the legislature to legitimize the
practice of expanded function dental assistants,
increasing dental office productivity.
STOPPED the legislature from passing a bill
prohibiting dentists from administering general
anesthesia and deep sedation in their offices.
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