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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Roseann R. Cadau |
State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop |
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Bishop supports Pennsylvania dental hygienists at Capitol rally
Introduces legislation to give them ability to help more patients
HARRISBURG, April 18 – State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop, D-Phila., this week rallied in support of Pennsylvania’s dental hygienists and has introduced legislation that would allow the dental hygienists in the state to provide routine, preventive dental service to underserved people.
“State law needs to be changed to allow hygienists to work in public facilities without the authorization or supervision of a dentist,” Bishop said. “There is no doubt in my mind that hygienists can treat people most in need of dental care, including in our schools.”
Bishop’s measure (H.B. 914) would target specific groups of people in facilities such as personal care homes, correctional facilities, public health-care agencies, hospitals and schools.
“For many people in Pennsylvania, including many children, dental insurance coverage is a luxury and out of their reach,” said Bishop, chairwoman of the Children and Youth Committee. “My bill would help people who can’t afford to visit a dentist for preventive dental care.”
According to the Pennsylvania Dental Hygienists’ Association, fewer than 57 percent of adults older than 65 receive preventive services, such as teeth cleanings and mouth cancer screenings.
Bishop said dental hygienists already are legally licensed by the state Board of Dentistry.
Her legislation has been referred to the House Professional Licensure Committee for consideration.
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