LD 2209

LAW WITHOUT
  GOVERNOR'S  CHAPTER
  SIGNATURE
  156
  APRIL 11, 2026  RESOLVES
  STATE OF MAINE
  _____
  IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
  TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-SIX
  _____
  H.P. 1488 - L.D. 2209
Resolve, to Direct the Department of Health and Human Services to Develop
 Innovative Models for the Delivery of Dental Services to Expand Access to
  Oral Health Care Throughout the State
   Sec. 1. Department of Health and Human Services development of models
for expanded access to dental services. Resolved: That, based on the
recommendation of the Commission to Expand Access to Oral Health Care by Studying
Alternative Pathways for Obtaining a License to Practice Dentistry pursuant to Resolve
2025, chapter 107, the Department of Health and Human Services shall:
    1. Consider the development of a so-called hub-and-spoke model to expand access to
dental services throughout the State. In developing the model, the department must include
as components of the model the dental services provided by the University of New England
and federally qualified health centers, mobile units and nontraditional dental care practices,
such as dental care practices that are limited in scope, that provide services in areas where
the population density is insufficient to support a dental provider setting up a practice;
    2. Explore options to establish dental specialist residency programs in the State,
especially for pediatric dentists, oral surgeons and orthodontists; and
    3. Explore options to expand education and training programs for dental therapists in
the State.
    Sec. 2. Stakeholder participation. Resolved: That the Department of Health
and Human Services shall invite the participation of stakeholders to ensure that the
department has the information and expertise necessary to complete the tasks identified in
section 1, including, but not limited to, representatives from the University of New England
College of Dental Medicine, the Maine Public Health Association, the Maine Dental
Association, the Maine Dental Hygienists' Association, the Maine Oral Health Centers
Alliance and dentists working in private practice who serve the oral health care needs of
underserved and high-need populations. The Department of Professional and Financial
Regulation, Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation shall provide technical
assistance to the Department of Health and Human Services on behalf of the Board of
Dental Practice.
  Page 1 - 132LR3032(03)
     Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That, no later than February 15, 2027, the Department
of Health and Human Services shall submit a report that includes its findings and
recommendations under this resolve, including suggested legislation, to the joint standing
committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health coverage, insurance and
financial services matters and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
jurisdiction over health and human services matters. Each joint standing committee may
report out legislation to the 133rd Legislature in 2027 based on the report.
  Page 2 - 132LR3032(03)