Sen. Bailey announces details for first meeting of the newly created Commission to Expand Access to Dental Care
AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, October 7, Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, announced details for the first meeting of the Legislature’s Commission to Expand Access to Oral Health Care by Studying Alternative Pathways for Obtaining a License to Practice Dentistry. This summer, Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, appointed Sen. Bailey to chair the Commission.
On Wednesday, October 8, Sen. Bailey will convene the first meeting of the Commission at 10 a.m. in the Health and Human Services Committee Room (Room 209) at the Burton M. Cross Office Building in Augusta. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting in person. It will also be livestreamed online at legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#209.
The Commission is tasked with studying how to integrate foreign-trained dentists and out-of-state dentists into the dental care workforce. It will review the best practices that other states have used to address the shortage of dentists in their states. As a result of its work, the Commission could recommend changes to state laws and rules that pose unnecessary barriers for these dentists to enter Maine’s workforce. It will provide a report to the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee no later than Dec. 10, 2025.
According to the Rural Health Information Hub, at least part of 15 Maine counties are considered to be dental care shortage areas.
To follow along with the work of the Commission or to subscribe for notifications and updates, go to legislature.maine.gov/commission-to-expand-access-to-oral-health-care-by-studying-alternative-pathways-for-obtaining-a-license-to-practice-dentistry.
For a copy of the meeting agenda, email Anna Broome in the Office of Policy and Legal Analysis at Anna.Broome@legislature.maine.gov.
COMMISSION TO EXPAND ACESS TO DENTAL CARE MEETING DETAILS
WHAT: Commission to Expand Access to Dental Care Meeting
WHO: Sen. Donna Bailey, Senate Chair
WHEN: 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8
WHERE: Health and Human Services Committee Room (Room 209), Burton M. Cross Office Building, Augusta
ONLINE: legislature.maine.gov/Audio/#209
In the 131st Maine State Legislature, Sen. Bailey co-chaired the chaired the Commission Regarding Foreign-Trained Physicians Living in Maine. It had a similar goal to increase the number of doctors in the state. That commission studied how to integrate foreign-trained physicians (including surgeons) into the health care workforce. It also explored a wide range of options for how to help enable foreign-trained physicians who wish to live and practice in Maine to do so. For more information, go to legislature.maine.gov/commission-regarding-foreign-trained-physicians-living-in-maine. Access the final report online at legislature.maine.gov/doc/10599.
Sen. Donna Bailey is currently serving her third term in the Maine Senate. She is the Senate chair of the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee. She also serves on the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee. She represents Senate District 31, which includes Buxton, Old Orchard Beach and Saco.
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