Partners in the Network collaborate to research and develop data-driven and community-informed policy options to advance needed improvements in children's oral health. We work together to plan long-term policy development as well as strategies and materials for policy-maker education at the state and federal levels.
Legislative Information
How to Testify at the Maine Legislature
Path of Legslation (from Bill to Law)
To check bill status, go here and put LD number in first box to get a wide range of information about the bill
Oral Health Policy Advocates
As part of their individual missions, many Network partner organizations work on policy efforts at the state and federal level to increase access to oral health for everyone. These groups meet together to develop and share strategies for oral health advocacy at the state agencies and legislature and at the federal level when needed. Partner organizations work collaboratively on oral health policy proposals that address common goals and shared priorities.
If you are interested in getting involved with this effort, please fill out our form.
Oral Health Bills Archive
2023 Session (131st Legislature)
LD 1837: An Act to Increase Oral Health Services
Sponsored by Representative Lori Gramlich, LD 1837 would make two temporary positions at the Maine CDC oral health program permanent, clarify that the SOHP is for all public schools, and direct MaineCare to consider an alternative payment pilot for financing school-based oral health services.
Status: LD 1837 passed unanimously out of the Health and Human Services committee and went “under the hammer” in the House and Senate. The Appropriations and Financial Affairs committee has carried over the bill for funding consideration in next year’s legislative session.
What's Next: Advocacy to ensure there is funding in the supplemental budget to continue the two positions this bill would make permanent
Resources:
2021 Session (130th Legislature)
LD 1501: An Act to Protect Oral Health for Children in Maine
Sponsored by Representative Lori Gramlich, the bill expanded Maine's school-based oral health program to all public schools statewide by 2025 (currently only about 1/3 of schools participate) and reestablished an Oral Health Coordinator position at the Maine CDC. During the 2021 session, the bill received unanimous support from the Health and Human Services Committee and was passed by the full House and Senate. The Appropriations Committee carried over the bill into the next session when it was incorporated into the supplemental budget and signed into law.
Status: Incorporated into the supplemental budget and signed into law
What's Next: Advocacy for sufficient funding for the School Oral Health Program and for the Oral Health Coordinator position at the Maine CDC to be filled
Resources:
LD 996: An Act To Improve Dental Health Access for Maine Children and Adults with Low Incomes
This bill adds comprehensive preventive, diagnostic and restorative dental services to the limited dental services currently available to those covered by MaineCare insurance who are 21 years of age and over.
Status: Passed both chambers and built into the Governor's budget after a multi-year campaign spearheaded by Maine Equal Justice Partners.
What's Next: MaineCare adult dental benefit began July 2022.
LD 76: An Act To Amend the Dental Practice Act To Define "Supervision" and Authorize Teledentistry
The bill adds a definition of "teledentistry" and authorizes oral health care services and procedures to be provided through teledentistry in accordance with rules adopted by the Board of Dental Practice.
Status: Passed with emergency status and went into effect upon being signed into law on June 2021 opening up enormous potential for improving access to care.
What's Next: The Board of Dental Practice created teledentistry rules with stakeholder input.
2019 Session (129th Legislature)
LD 1399: An Act to Improve Oral Health and Access to Dental Care for Maine Children
This bill established within the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of MaineCare Services one Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment Dental Coordinator position. The MaineCare EPSDT Coordinator position is a critical role for meeting the state's responsibility to ensure that all children have access to key preventive care mandated by Medicaid's Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment program.