I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 9622 
To improve access to oral health care for vulnerable and underserved 
populations. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 
Mrs. DINGELL (for herself, Mr. THANEDAR, Ms. NORTON, Ms. TLAIB, Mr. 
GRIJALVA, Mr. KENNEDY, Ms. LEE of Pennsylvania, Ms. SALINAS, and 
Mr. COHEN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on 
Ways and Means, the Judiciary, Natural Resources, and Veterans’ Af-
fairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each 
case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To improve access to oral health care for vulnerable and 
underserved populations. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Comprehensive Dental Reform Act of 2024’’. 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for 
this Act is as follows: 
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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
TITLE I—MEDICARE AND MEDICAID 
Subtitle A—Medicare 
Sec. 101. Coverage of dental services under the Medicare program. 
Subtitle B—Medicaid 
Sec. 111. Coverage of dental services under the Medicaid program. 
TITLE II—PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS 
Subtitle A—National Health Service Corps 
Sec. 201. National Health Service Corps. 
Sec. 202. Community based dental residencies. 
Sec. 203. Community-based training of dental students. 
Subtitle B—Oral Health Education 
Sec. 211. Authorization of appropriations for oral health education for medical 
providers. 
Sec. 212. Oral health education for other non-health professionals. 
Sec. 213. Dental education. 
Sec. 214. Oral health professional student loans. 
Subtitle C—Other Oral Health Programs 
Sec. 221. Access points. 
Sec. 222. Dental clinics in schools. 
Sec. 223. Emergency department care coordination. 
Sec. 224. Research funding. 
Sec. 225. Mobile and portable dental services. 
Subtitle D—Oral Health Services as an Essential Health Benefit 
Sec. 231. Oral health services as an essential health benefit. 
TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MATTERS 
Sec. 301. Requirement that Secretary of Veterans Affairs furnish dental care 
in the same manner as any other medical service. 
Sec. 302. Demonstration program on training and employment of alternative 
dental health care providers for dental health care services for 
veterans in rural and other underserved communities. 
Sec. 303. Program of education to promote dental health in veterans. 
Sec. 304. Student loan repayment program to incentivize dental training and 
ensure the dental workforce of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs. 
Sec. 305. Educational and training partnerships for dentists, dental hygienists, 
and oral surgeons. 
TITLE IV—FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS 
Sec. 401. Demonstration program on training and employment of alternative 
dental health care providers for dental health care services for 
prisoners within the custody of the Bureau of Prisons. 
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TITLE V—INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE 
Sec. 501. Demonstration program on training and employment of alternative 
dental health care providers for dental health care services 
under the Indian Health Service. 
TITLE VI—REPORTS TO CONGRESS 
Sec. 601. Reports on enrollment in coverage for oral health services. 
TITLE I—MEDICARE AND 
MEDICAID 
Subtitle A—Medicare 
SEC. 101. COVERAGE OF DENTAL SERVICES UNDER THE 
MEDICARE PROGRAM. 
(a) COVERAGE.—Section 1861(s)(2) of the Social Se-
curity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(2)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (JJ), by inserting ‘‘and’’ 
after the semicolon at the end; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(KK) oral health services (as defined in sub-
section (nnn));’’. 
(b) ORAL HEALTH SERVICES DEFINED.—Section 
1861 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘Oral Health Services 
‘‘(nnn)(1) The term ‘oral health services’ means serv-
ices (as defined by the Secretary) that are necessary to 
prevent disease and promote oral health, restore oral 
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structures to health and function, and treat emergency 
conditions. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), such term shall 
include mobile and portable oral health services (as de-
fined by the Secretary) that— 
‘‘(A) are provided for the purpose of over-
coming mobility, transportation, and access barriers 
for individuals; and 
‘‘(B) satisfy the standards and certification re-
quirements established under section 1902(a)(88)(C) 
for the State in which the services are provided.’’. 
(c) 
PAYMENT
AND
COINSURANCE.—Section 
1833(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395l(a)(1)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ before ‘‘(HH)’’; and 
(2) by inserting before the semicolon at the end 
the following: ‘‘, and (II) with respect to oral health 
services (as defined in section 1861(nnn)), the 
amount paid shall be (i) in the case of such services 
that are preventive, 100 percent of the lesser of the 
actual charge for the services or the amount deter-
mined under the payment basis determined under 
section 1848, and (ii) in the case of all other such 
services, 80 percent of the lesser of the actual 
charge for the services or the amount determined 
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under the payment basis determined under section 
1848’’. 
(d) PAYMENT UNDER PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE.— 
Section 1848(j)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1395w–4(j)(3)) is amended by inserting ‘‘(2)(KK),’’ after 
‘‘risk assessment),’’. 
(e) DENTURES.—Section 1861(s)(8) of the Social Se-
curity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(s)(8)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘(other than dental)’’ and in-
serting ‘‘(including dentures)’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘internal body’’. 
(f) REPEAL OF GROUND FOR EXCLUSION.—Section 
1862(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395y) is 
amended by striking paragraph (12). 
(g) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to services furnished on or after 
January 1, 2025. 
Subtitle B—Medicaid 
SEC. 111. COVERAGE OF DENTAL SERVICES UNDER THE 
MEDICAID PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1905 of the Social Secu-
rity Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(10), by striking ‘‘dental 
services’’ and inserting ‘‘oral health services (as de-
fined in subsection (kk)(1))’’; and 
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(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(kk)(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), for pur-
poses of this title, the term ‘oral health services’ means 
services (as defined by the Secretary) that are necessary 
to prevent disease and promote oral health, restore oral 
structures to health and function, and treat emergency 
conditions. These services shall include, in the case of 
pregnant or postpartum women, such services as are nec-
essary to address oral health conditions that exist or are 
exacerbated by pregnancy or childbirth or which, if left 
untreated, could adversely affect fetal or child develop-
ment. 
‘‘(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), such term shall 
include— 
‘‘(A) dentures; and 
‘‘(B) mobile and portable oral health services 
(as defined by the Secretary) that— 
‘‘(i) are provided for the purpose of over-
coming mobility, transportation, and access bar-
riers for individuals; and 
‘‘(ii) satisfy the standards and certification 
requirements 
established 
under 
section 
1902(a)(88)(C) for the State in which the serv-
ices are provided. 
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‘‘(3) For purposes of paragraph (1), such term shall 
not apply to dental care or services provided to individuals 
under the age of 21 under subsection (r)(3).’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) STATE
PLAN
REQUIREMENTS.—Section 
1902(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)) is amend-
ed— 
(A) in paragraph (10)(A), in the matter 
preceding clause (i), by inserting ‘‘(10),’’ after 
‘‘(5),’’; 
(B) in paragraph (86), by striking ‘‘and’’ 
at the end; 
(C) in paragraph (87), by striking the pe-
riod at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (87) the 
following: 
‘‘(88) provide for— 
‘‘(A) informing, in writing, all individuals 
who have been determined to be eligible for 
medical assistance of the availability of oral 
health services (as defined in section 1905(kk)); 
‘‘(B) conducting targeted outreach to preg-
nant women who have been determined to be el-
igible for medical assistance about the avail-
ability of medical assistance for such dental 
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services and the importance of receiving dental 
care while pregnant; and 
‘‘(C) establishing and maintaining stand-
ards for and certification of mobile and portable 
oral health services (as described in subsections 
(r)(3)(C) and (kk)(2)(B) of section 1905).’’. 
(2) DEFINITION
OF
MEDICAL
ASSISTANCE.— 
Section 1905(a)(12) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1396d(a)(12)) is amended by striking ‘‘, dentures,’’. 
(c) MOBILE AND PORTABLE ORAL HEALTH SERV-
ICES UNDER EPSDT.—Section 1905(r)(3) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(r)(3)) is amended— 
(1) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by striking ‘‘; and’’ 
and inserting a semicolon; 
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period 
at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new sub-
paragraph: 
‘‘(C) which shall include mobile and portable 
oral health services (as defined by the Secretary) 
that— 
‘‘(i) are provided for the purpose of over-
coming mobility, transportation, or access bar-
riers for children; and 
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‘‘(ii) satisfy the standards and certification 
requirements 
established 
under 
section 
1902(a)(88)(C) for the State in which the serv-
ices are provided.’’. 
(d) INCREASED FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DENTAL 
SERVICES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 1905 of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d), as amended by sub-
section (a), is further amended— 
(A) in subsection (b), in the first sentence, 
by striking ‘‘and (ii)’’ and inserting ‘‘(ii), and 
(ll)’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
subsection: 
‘‘(ll) INCREASED FMAP FOR ORAL HEALTH SERV-
ICES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding subsection 
(b) and section 1903(a)(7) and subject to the re-
quirements described in paragraphs (3) and (4), 
with respect to amounts expended on or after Janu-
ary 1, 2025, for covered oral health expenses (as de-
scribed in paragraph (2)), the Federal medical as-
sistance percentage for a State that is one of the 50 
States or the District of Columbia for such expenses 
shall be equal to the Federal medical assistance per-
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centage that would otherwise apply to the State for 
the fiscal year, as determined under subsection (b) 
or section 1903(a)(7), increased by 15 percentage 
points. 
‘‘(2) COVERED ORAL HEALTH EXPENSES.—For 
purposes of paragraph (1), the term ‘covered oral 
health expenses’ means the amounts expended for 
medical assistance for oral health services (as de-
fined in subsection (kk)) and amounts expended for 
the proper and efficient administration of the provi-
sion of such oral health services under the State 
plan. 
‘‘(3) REQUIREMENTS.—For purposes of para-
graph (1), the Federal medical assistance percentage 
applicable to covered oral health expenses under this 
subsection shall not apply to a State unless— 
‘‘(A) the State plan for medical assistance 
provides payment for oral health services (as so 
defined) furnished by a health care provider at 
a rate that is not less than 70 percent of the 
usual and customary fee for such services in the 
State; and 
‘‘(B) the State satisfies such additional re-
quirements as are established by the Secretary, 
which shall include— 
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‘‘(i) streamlining of administrative 
procedures for purposes of ensuring ade-
quate provider participation and increasing 
patient utilization of oral health services; 
and 
‘‘(ii) the provision of technical assist-
ance to health care providers designed to 
reduce the number of missed patient ap-
pointments and reduce other barriers to 
the delivery of oral health services. 
‘‘(4) LIMITATION.—For purposes of amounts 
expended for covered oral health services, in no case 
shall any increase under this subsection result in a 
Federal medical assistance percentage that exceeds 
100 percent.’’. 
(2) 
CONFORMING
AMENDMENT.—Section 
1903(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
1396b(a)(7)) is amended by striking ‘‘section 
1919(g)(3)(B)’’ and inserting ‘‘sections 1905(ll) and 
1919(g)(3)(B)’’. 
(e) SECRETARIAL RESPONSIBILITIES.— 
(1) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND OUTREACH.— 
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, act-
ing through the Administrator of the Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services, shall provide tech-
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nical assistance to States and conduct outreach to 
States for purposes of educating and encouraging 
States to utilize and provide payment under each 
State Medicaid program for telehealth-enabled den-
tal services in order to provide dental services to tra-
ditionally underserved populations in need of such 
services. 
(2) DATABASE AND ANNUAL REPORT ON DEN-
TAL BENEFITS FOR ADULT MEDICAID ENROLLEES.— 
(A) MEDICAID DENTAL BENEFITS DATA-
BASE.—The Secretary of Health and Human 
Services, acting through the Administrator of 
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 
shall maintain, as accurately and up-to-date as 
possible, a database that contains with respect 
to each State (as defined for purposes of title 
XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 
et seq.)) information regarding the dental bene-
fits available for adults enrolled in the State 
Medicaid program, including any limits on such 
benefits and the amount of reimbursement pro-
vided under the State Medicaid program for 
such benefits. The database also shall include a 
separate description of the dental benefits, ben-
efit limits, and amount of reimbursement pro-
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vided under each State Medicaid program for 
pregnant women, if such benefits are not pro-
vided to the woman as part of early and peri-
odic screening, diagnostic, and treatment serv-
ices (as defined in section 1905(r) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(r))), and a de-
scription of the use of dental services by chil-
dren and adults enrolled in the State Medicaid 
program. 
(B) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Secretary of 
Health and Human Services shall make avail-
able to the public an annual report regarding 
the information collected in the database re-
quired under subparagraph (A). Each annual 
report under this subparagraph shall include for 
each State Medicaid program and with respect 
to the most recent year for which data are 
available the yearly dental service utilization 
rates for children and adults enrolled in the 
State Medicaid program. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the amendments made by this section 
shall apply to calendar quarters beginning on or 
after January 1, 2025, without regard to whether or 
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not final regulations to carry out such amendments 
have been promulgated by such date. 
(2) DELAY
PERMITTED
FOR
STATE
PLAN 
AMENDMENT.—In the case of a State plan for med-
ical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security 
Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices determines requires State legislation (other than 
legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan 
to meet the additional requirements imposed by the 
amendments made by this section, the State plan 
shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the 
requirements of such title solely on the basis of its 
failure to meet these additional requirements before 
the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning 
after the close of the first regular session of the 
State legislature that begins after the date of enact-
ment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sen-
tence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legis-
lative session, each year of such session shall be 
deemed to be a separate regular session of the State 
legislature. 
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TITLE II—PUBLIC HEALTH 
PROGRAMS 
Subtitle A—National Health 
Service Corps 
SEC. 201. NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 331 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254d) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(F) The term ‘dental therapist’ means, 
with respect to a State or Tribal government 
that licenses or certifies such dental therapists, 
a mid-level dental practitioner who— 
‘‘(i)(I) is licensed to practice under 
the law of the State; or 
‘‘(II) is certified to practice under the 
Community Health Aide Program of the 
Indian Health Service under section 119 of 
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act; 
and 
‘‘(ii) provides preventive and restora-
tive services directly to the public, com-
mensurate with the scope of the practice.’’; 
and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
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(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting 
‘‘dental therapist,’’ after ‘‘nurse practi-
tioner,’’; 
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by inserting 
‘‘dental therapy,’’ after ‘‘mental health,’’; 
and 
(iii) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by in-
serting ‘‘, including dental therapy’’ after 
‘‘health profession’’. 
(3) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
Section 338H of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 254q) is amended— 
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘this sec-
tion’’ and inserting ‘‘this subpart’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS WITH 
RESPECT TO ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.—To carry 
out this subpart with respect to dentists, dental therapists, 
and dental hygienists, in addition to the amounts author-
ized under subsection (a), there is authorized to be appro-
priated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 
2025 through 2028, which shall be used to provide an 
emergency expansion for scholarships to, and loan repay-
ments on behalf of, such oral health professionals.’’. 
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SEC. 202. COMMUNITY BASED DENTAL RESIDENCIES. 
Section 340H of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 256h) is amended by adding at the ending the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(k) ADDITIONAL FUNDING.—For the purpose of ex-
panding dental residencies at teaching health centers that 
operate graduate medical education programs, there is au-
thorized to be appropriated such sums as may be nec-
essary for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028’’. 
SEC. 203. COMMUNITY-BASED TRAINING OF DENTAL STU-
DENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and 
Human Services (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Sec-
retary’’) shall establish a pilot program under which the 
Secretary awards grants to eligible entities for the purpose 
of supporting the community-based training of dental stu-
dents. Such grants shall be for a 5-year period, beginning 
in fiscal year 2025. 
(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to receive a 
grant under this section, an entity shall— 
(1) be a Federally-qualified health center, rural 
health center, or Tribal health facility; and 
(2) submit an application to the Secretary at 
such time, in such manner, and containing such in-
formation as the Secretary may require. 
(c) SELECTION OF AWARDEES.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award 6 
grants under this section to eligible entities de-
scribed in subsection (b). In making such awards, 
the Secretary shall ensure that each entity receiving 
a grant operates in a different State (including each 
of the several States and the District of Columbia), 
territory, or Tribal territory. 
(2) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible 
entities that— 
(A) have a focus on training students in 
rural and underserved areas; 
(B) 
partner 
with 
dental 
professional 
schools and programs associated with a histori-
cally Black college or university (as defined by 
the term ‘‘part B institution’’ in section 322 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1061)) or minority-serving institutions (as de-
scribed in section 371 of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
1067q)); or 
(C) are located in a State or geographic 
area without a dental school. 
(d) USE OF FUNDS.—An eligible entity receiving a 
grant under this section— 
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(1) shall use such funds to establish a training 
program for dental, dental hygienist, dental therapy, 
and dental assistant students in a community-based, 
outpatient setting; 
(2) may use such funds— 
(A) to support faculty and preceptor wages 
and living stipends for trainees; 
(B) to purchase equipment, education 
tools, and make renovations or alterations to a 
training site; and 
(C) to provide supportive services such as 
child care, transportation, and food assistance 
to enable students to persist in and complete a 
training program; and 
(3) may use up to 5 percent of the grant 
amount for planning and development, data collec-
tion and reporting, other administrative purposes. 
(e) REPORTING.— 
(1) REPORTS FROM ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—Each 
eligible entity receiving a grant under this section 
shall submit such reports on the program supported 
by the grant as the Secretary may require. 
(2) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 
year after the date on which the program under this 
section terminates under subsection (f), the Sec-
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retary shall submit to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the 
House of Representatives a report on the program. 
(f) SUNSET.—The grant program under this section 
shall terminate on September 30, 2029. 
(g) APPROPRIATIONS.—To carry out this section, 
there is appropriated, out of amounts in the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2025, 
to remain available through the end of fiscal year 2029. 
Subtitle B—Oral Health Education 
SEC. 211. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR ORAL 
HEALTH EDUCATION FOR MEDICAL PRO-
VIDERS. 
Section 747(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 293k(c)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(4) ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION.—In addition 
to other amounts authorized under this subsection 
for purposes of carrying out this section, there is au-
thorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary for fiscal years 2025 through 2028 for the 
purpose of educating nondental medical professionals 
(including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, 
physician assistants, and pharmacists and particu-
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larly such professionals who provide care to children 
and pregnant and postpartum women) about oral 
health, including issues such as oral hygiene instruc-
tion, topical application of fluoride, and oral health 
screenings, with the goal of integrating oral health 
care into overall health care.’’. 
SEC. 212. ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOR OTHER NON- 
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. 
Subpart I of part C of title VII of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293k et seq.) is amended by insert-
ing after section 748 the following: 
‘‘SEC. 748A. ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOR OTHER NON- 
ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may make grants 
to, or enter into contracts with, an accredited public or 
nonprofit private hospital, educational institutions, or pub-
lic or private nonprofit entities that the Secretary has de-
termined to be capable of carrying out such grant or con-
tract to educate individuals, such as community health 
workers, social workers, nutritionists, health educators, 
occupational therapists, and psychologists, to promote oral 
health education and literacy and to provide support for 
behavior change and assistance with care coordination 
with respect to oral health. 
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‘‘(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—To 
carry out this section, there is authorized to be appro-
priated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 
2025 through 2028.’’. 
SEC. 213. DENTAL EDUCATION. 
Section 748 of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 293k–2) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(1)(H), by striking ‘‘pedi-
atric training programs’’ and inserting ‘‘pediatric 
dental training programs’’; and 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking the subsection heading and 
inserting ‘‘REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD.—’’; 
(B) by amending the matter preceding 
paragraph (1) to read as follows: ‘‘With respect 
to training provided for under this section, the 
Secretary shall award grants or contracts only 
to eligible entities that meet at least 7 of the 
following criteria:’’; 
(C) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘‘have a 
record of training the greatest percentage of 
providers, or that have demonstrated significant 
improvements in the percentage of providers, 
who enter and’’ and inserting ‘‘train significant 
numbers of providers who’’; 
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(D) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘have a record of train-
ing’’ and inserting ‘‘intend to train’’; and 
(ii) by striking the period at the end 
and inserting ‘‘and have faculty with expe-
rience 
in 
treating 
underserved 
popu-
lations.’’; 
(E) in paragraph (8), by inserting ‘‘or 
have established’’ after ‘‘establish’’; and 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(9) Qualified applicants that require not less 
than 200 hours of community-based education rota-
tions.’’. 
SEC. 214. ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL STUDENT LOANS. 
Subpart 3 of part E of title VII of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295f et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 779. ORAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL STUDENT LOANS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish 
and operate a student loan fund for oral health profes-
sional students, including dental hygienists, dental thera-
pists, and dentists. 
‘‘(b) CONTENT.—The Secretary shall establish and 
operate the student loan fund program under subsection 
(a) in the same manner and subject to the same terms 
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as the loan fund program established with schools of nurs-
ing under section 835. 
‘‘(c) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—To 
carry out this section, there are authorized to be appro-
priated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 
2025 through 2028.’’. 
Subtitle C—Other Oral Health 
Programs 
SEC. 221. ACCESS POINTS. 
Subpart X of part D of title III of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256f et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following: 
‘‘SEC. 340G–2. FUNDING FOR ORAL HEALTH SERVICES. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through 
the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
Administration, shall establish a program to award grants 
to eligible entities to provide oral health services, or to con-
tract with private dental practices to provide comprehen-
sive oral health services, to low-income individuals and in-
dividuals who are underserved with respect to oral health 
care. 
‘‘(b) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall 
provide technical assistance to entities receiving grants 
under subsection (a) to provide technical assistance to 
such entities in order to— 
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‘‘(1) with respect to oral health care services, 
increase utilization and efficiency and minimize 
missed appointments, contract with offsite providers, 
recruit providers (including oral health specialists), 
and operate programs outside the physical facilities 
to take advantage of new systems to improve access 
to oral health services; 
‘‘(2) address barriers to access to such services 
and conduct targeted outreach to special populations 
such as pregnant women, individuals with disabil-
ities, individuals with chronic conditions such as dia-
betes, and individuals residing in long-term care fa-
cilities; or 
‘‘(3) contract with private dental practices that 
will provide oral health services other than preven-
tive oral health care, including restoration and main-
tenance of oral health, in order to meet the need for 
oral health services in the community. 
‘‘(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to receive 
a grant under subsection (a), an entity shall— 
‘‘(1) be— 
‘‘(A) a Federally qualified health center 
(as defined in section 1861(aa) of the Social 
Security Act); 
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‘‘(B) a safety net clinic or a free clinic (as 
defined by the Secretary); 
‘‘(C) a health care clinic that provides 
services to Tribal organizations or urban Indian 
organizations (as such terms are defined in sec-
tion 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement 
Act); or 
‘‘(D) any other interested public or private 
sector health care provider or organization that 
the Secretary determines has a demonstrated 
history of serving a high number of uninsured 
and or low-income individuals or those who lack 
ready access to oral health services; and 
‘‘(2) demonstrate a clear need to expand oral 
health care services beyond preventive oral health 
care. 
‘‘(d) ALLOCATION FOR HIRING ORAL HEALTH CARE 
SPECIALISTS.—A portion of the funds available under this 
section shall be allocated toward hiring oral health care 
specialists, such as oral surgeons and endodontists, at en-
tities receiving grants under this section. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—To 
carry out this section, there is authorized to be appro-
priated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
years 2025 through 2028.’’. 
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SEC. 222. DENTAL CLINICS IN SCHOOLS. 
Part Q of title III of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 280h et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 399Z–3. DENTAL CLINICS IN SCHOOLS. 
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award 
grants to qualified entities for the purpose of funding the 
building, operation, or expansion of dental clinics in 
schools. 
‘‘(b) QUALIFIED ENTITIES.—To receive a grant 
under this section, a qualified entity shall submit an appli-
cation to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘(c) REQUIREMENTS.—An entity receiving a grant 
under this section shall— 
‘‘(1) provide comprehensive oral health services 
at a dental clinic based at a school, including oral 
health education, oral screening, fluoride application, 
prophylaxis, sealants, and basic restorative services; 
‘‘(2) develop a coordinated system of care by re-
ferring patients to an available qualified oral health 
provider in the community for any required oral 
health services not provided in the dental clinic in 
the school, including restorative services, to ensure 
that all the oral health needs of students are met; 
and 
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‘‘(3) maintain clinic hours that extend beyond 
school hours. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—For 
purposes of carrying out this section, there is authorized 
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for fis-
cal years 2025 through 2028.’’. 
SEC. 223. EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CARE COORDINA-
TION. 
Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 399V–8. EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CARE COORDINA-
TION WITH RESPECT TO DENTAL CARE. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a 
grant program to facilitate individuals receiving dental 
care at facilities other than hospital emergency depart-
ments, under which the Secretary awards grants to eligible 
entities to cover costs related to construction and renova-
tion, equipment, staff, outreach and education, and any 
other allowable uses, with respect to the entity’s facilities, 
as the Secretary determines appropriate. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to receive 
a grant under this section an entity shall— 
‘‘(1) be— 
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‘‘(A) a Federally qualified health center 
(as defined in paragraph (4) of section 
1861(aa) of the Social Security Act) or rural 
health clinic (as defined in paragraph (2) of 
such section); 
‘‘(B) a private dental practice; or 
‘‘(C) any other interested public or private 
sector health care provider or organization, 
such as a dental school, that the Secretary de-
termines has the capacity to serve in a coordi-
nated, cost-effective manner, a high number of 
individuals who lack access to oral health serv-
ices; and 
‘‘(2) partner with a hospital or urgent care cen-
ter. 
‘‘(c) ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY CARE 
AND ED HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.—The Secretary 
shall allocate a portion of the amounts appropriated under 
subsection (e) toward medical education for primary care 
and emergency department physicians, nurses, nurse prac-
titioners, and physician assistants to be trained in oral 
health. 
‘‘(d) REPORT.—Not later than January 1, 2028, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the best 
practices determined by the program established under 
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this section to address oral health needs of individuals who 
go to emergency departments in need of oral health care. 
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—To 
carry out this section, there is authorized to be appro-
priated such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 
2025 through 2028.’’. 
SEC. 224. RESEARCH FUNDING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—For the period of fiscal years 
2025 through 2027, there is authorized to be appropriated 
for the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred 
to in this section as the ‘‘Secretary’’) such sums as may 
be necessary to conduct, in consultation with the heads 
of agencies and offices of the Department of Health and 
Human Services, including the Director of the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, the Director of the Agen-
cy for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Director of 
the National Institutes of Health, and the Administrator 
of the Health Resources and Services Administration— 
(1) research on— 
(A) the prevention of oral disease; 
(B) oral disease management; 
(C) evidence-based strategies to prevent 
tooth decay; 
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(D) rigorous, multidisciplinary research- 
based approaches to overcome disparities in oral 
health; 
(E) perinatal, postnatal, and childhood oral 
health issues, including the integration of den-
tal providers in settings where pediatricians 
practice; 
(F) access, quality, and outcomes with re-
spect to oral health services; and 
(G) other topics as the Secretary deter-
mines appropriate; and 
(2) an evaluation of oral health service delivery 
to underserved and vulnerable populations, including 
an evaluation of workforce models to enhance oral 
health service delivery. 
(b) SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.—Funds appro-
priated under this section shall be used to supplement, and 
not supplant, other Federal, State, and local public funds 
provided for activities described in subsection (a). 
SEC. 225. MOBILE AND PORTABLE DENTAL SERVICES. 
Subpart X of part D of title III of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256f et seq.), as amended by sec-
tion 221, is further amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
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‘‘SEC. 340G–3. MOBILE AND PORTABLE DENTAL SERVICES. 
‘‘(a) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall award 
grants to Federally qualified health centers (as defined in 
paragraph (4) of section 1861(aa) of the Social Security 
Act), rural health clinics (as defined in paragraph (2) of 
such section), nonprofit dental clinics, and dental schools 
to provide mobile and portable, comprehensive dental serv-
ices that provide for the restoration or maintenance of oral 
health and function (including dental services provided by 
licensed providers through telehealth-enabled collaboration 
and supervision) and outreach for dental services to un-
derserved populations. 
‘‘(b) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to receive 
a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit 
an application to the Secretary at such time, in such man-
ner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
require, including information to demonstrate that the en-
tity is capable of providing coordinated care and continuity 
of care to patients. 
‘‘(c) USE OF FUNDS.—Eligible entities receiving a 
grant under this section shall deliver the dental services 
described in subsection (a) at locations such as senior cen-
ters, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools, li-
censed child care centers that serve eligible individuals 
who receive benefits under the State Children’s Health In-
surance Program under title XXI of the Social Security 
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Act or the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social 
Security Act, and facilities that provide services under the 
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, In-
fants, and Children established by section 17 of the Child 
Nutrition Act of 1966 or under the Head Start Act. 
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.—To 
carry out this section, there are authorized to be appro-
priated such sums as may be necessary.’’. 
Subtitle D—Oral Health Services as 
an Essential Health Benefit 
SEC. 231. ORAL HEALTH SERVICES AS AN ESSENTIAL 
HEALTH BENEFIT. 
Section 1302(b) of the Patient Protection and Af-
fordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. 18022(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (J), by striking ‘‘oral 
and’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(K) Oral health services for children and 
adults.’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(6) ORAL HEALTH SERVICES.—For purposes 
of paragraph (1)(K), the term ‘oral health services’ 
means services (as defined by the Secretary), that 
are necessary to prevent disease and promote oral 
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health, restore oral structures to health and func-
tion, and treat emergency conditions.’’. 
TITLE III—DEPARTMENT OF 
VETERANS AFFAIRS MATTERS 
SEC. 301. REQUIREMENT THAT SECRETARY OF VETERANS 
AFFAIRS FURNISH DENTAL CARE IN THE 
SAME MANNER AS ANY OTHER MEDICAL 
SERVICE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title 38, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) in section 1701(6)(B), by striking ‘‘as de-
scribed in sections 1710 and 1712 of this title’’; 
(2) in section 1710(c), by striking the second 
sentence; 
(3) in section 1712— 
(A) by striking subsections (a) and (b); 
(B) by redesignating subsections (c), (d), 
and (e) as subsections (a), (b), and (c), respec-
tively; and 
(C) in subsection (a), as redesignated by 
subparagraph (B)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘Dental appliances’’ 
and inserting ‘‘The Secretary may furnish 
dentures, dental appliances’’; and 
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(ii) by striking ‘‘to be furnished by the 
Secretary under this section may be pro-
cured by the Secretary’’ and inserting 
‘‘under this section and may procure such 
appliances’’; 
(4) in section 1712C(h)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘section 1712 of this title’’ 
and inserting ‘‘this chapter’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘outpatient dental services 
and treatment, and related dental appliances, 
under such section 1712’’ and inserting ‘‘dental 
services and appliances under this chapter’’; 
and 
(5) by striking section 2062. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 1525(a) of 
such title is amended by striking ‘‘medicines under section 
1712(d)’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘medicines 
under 
section 
1712(b)’’. 
(c) CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.—Such title is further 
amended— 
(1) in section 1712, in the heading for such sec-
tion, by striking ‘‘Dental care’’ and inserting 
‘‘Appliances’’; 
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(2) in the table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17, by striking the item relating to section 
1712 and inserting the following new item: 
‘‘1712. Appliances; drugs and medicines for certain disabled veterans; vac-
cines.’’; 
and 
(3) in the table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 20, by striking the item relating to section 
2062. 
SEC. 302. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM ON TRAINING AND 
EMPLOYMENT 
OF 
ALTERNATIVE 
DENTAL 
HEALTH 
CARE 
PROVIDERS 
FOR 
DENTAL 
HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR VETERANS IN 
RURAL AND OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMU-
NITIES. 
(a) DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.—The 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a demonstra-
tion program to establish programs to train and employ 
alternative dental health care providers in order to in-
crease access to dental health care services for veterans 
who are entitled to such services from the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and reside in rural and other underserved 
communities. 
(b) TELEHEALTH.—For purposes of alternative den-
tal health care providers and other dental care providers 
who are licensed to provide clinical care, dental services 
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provided under the demonstration program under this sec-
tion may be administered by such providers through tele-
health-enabled collaboration and supervision when appro-
priate and feasible. 
(c) ALTERNATIVE DENTAL HEALTH CARE PRO-
VIDERS DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘alternative 
dental health care providers’’ has the meaning given that 
term in section 340G–1(a)(2) of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 256g–1(a)(2)). 
(d) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are nec-
essary to carry out the demonstration program under this 
section. 
SEC. 303. PROGRAM OF EDUCATION TO PROMOTE DENTAL 
HEALTH IN VETERANS. 
(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall carry out a program of education to 
promote dental health for veterans who are enrolled in the 
system of annual patient enrollment of the Department 
of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The program required by sub-
section (a) shall provide education for veterans on the fol-
lowing: 
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(1) The association between dental health and 
overall health and well-being. 
(2) Proper techniques for dental care. 
(3) Signs and symptoms of commonly occurring 
dental conditions. 
(4) Treatment options for commonly occurring 
dental issues. 
(5) Options for obtaining access to dental care, 
including information on eligibility for dental care 
through the Department. 
(6) Available and accessible options for obtain-
ing low or no-cost dental care, including through 
dental schools and Federally Qualified Health Cen-
ters. 
(7) Such other matters relating to dental health 
as the Secretary considers appropriate. 
(c) DELIVERY OF EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide 
educational materials to veterans under the program 
required by subsection (a) through a variety of 
mechanisms, including the following: 
(A) The availability and distribution of 
print materials at facilities of the Department 
(including at medical centers, clinics, Vet Cen-
ters, and readjustment counseling centers) and 
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to providers (including members of Patient 
Aligned Care Teams). 
(B) The availability and distribution of 
materials over the Internet, including through 
webinars, My HealtheVet, and VA.gov. 
(C) Presentations by the dental program 
office of the Department of information, includ-
ing both small group and large group presen-
tations, and distribution of such information to 
all locations in which the program is being car-
ried out. 
(2) SELECTION OF MECHANISMS.—In selecting 
mechanisms under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall select mechanisms designed to maximize the 
number of veterans who receive education under the 
program. 
(d) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to alter or revise the eligibility of any veteran 
for dental care under the laws administered by the Sec-
retary. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) FEDERALLY
QUALIFIED
HEALTH
CEN-
TER.—The term ‘‘Federally Qualified Health Cen-
ter’’ means a Federally-qualified health center as de-
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fined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B)). 
(2) VET CENTER.—The term ‘‘Vet Center’’ has 
the meaning given that term in section 1712A(h) of 
title 38, United States Code. 
(f) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This section shall take effect 
on the date that is one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. 
SEC. 304. STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM TO 
INCENTIVIZE DENTAL TRAINING AND EN-
SURE THE DENTAL WORKFORCE OF THE DE-
PARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. 
(a) PROGRAM REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs, to ensure that the Department of Veterans 
Affairs has sufficient staff to provide dental services to 
veterans, shall implement a loan reimbursement program 
for qualified dentists, dental hygienists, and oral surgeons 
who agree— 
(1) to be appointed by the Secretary as a den-
tist, dental hygienist, or oral surgeon, as the case 
may be, under section 7401 of title 38, United 
States Code; and 
(2) to serve as a dentist, dental hygienist, or 
oral surgeon, as the case may be, of the Department 
pursuant to such appointment at a dental clinic of 
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