Resolve, To Increase Access to Dental Care in Rural Areas through Encouraging Distance Learning for Dental Hygienist Training
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0419
Committee: Business, Research and Economic Develqpment
Sponsors: McKANE, TRAHAN, COTTA, DRISCOLL, FLOOD, NUTTING, PERRY, TREAT, MARRACHE, SIMPSON

FIRST REGULAR S~SSION-2009 
Legislative Document 
No. 419 
H.P.307 
House of Representatives, Febmary 10, 2009 
Resolve, To Increase Access to Dental Care in Rural Areas through 
Encouraging Distance Learning for Dental Hygienist Training 
Reference to the Committee on Business, Research and Economic Develqpment suggested 
and ordered printed. 
'I7/~d /J1.17l1l£~{ 
MILLICENT M. MacFARLAND 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative McKANE of Newcastle. (BY REQUEST) 
Cosponsored by Senator TRAHAN of Lincoln and 
Representatives: COTTA of China, DRISCOLL of Westbrook, FLOOD of Winthrop, 
NUTTING of Oakland, PERRY of Calais, TREAT of Hallowell, Senators: MARRACHE of 
Kennebec, SIMPSON of Androscoggin. 
Printed on recycled p,lpcr 
Sec. 1. Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of 
Licensing and Registration, Board of Dental Examiners directed to establish 
a new dental hygienist licensing category. Resolved: That the Department of 
Professional and Financial Regulation, Office of Licensing and Registration, Board of 
Dental Examiners is directed to establish a new dental hygienist licensing category that 
will accept alternative educational instruction programs, including qualified distance 
learning programs, instructional television networks and nontraditional clinical 
instructors, with the goal of providing students in distant locations across the State access 
to the training required to be a licensed dental hygienist. The Board of Dental Examiners 
shall establish the qualifications and scope of practice for this new licensing category, 
which must include 2 years of experience as a dental assistant, as well as sponsorship 
from a licensed Maine dentist; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Reporting date established. Resolved: That the Board of Dental 
Examiners shall report on its progress in establishing the new licensing category under 
section 1, along with any proposed legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on 
Business, Research and Economic Development by February 1,2010. The Joint Standing 
Committee on Business, Research and Economic Development is authorized to submit 
legislation on this new licensing category to the Second Regular Session of the 124th 
Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve requires the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, 
Office of Licensing and Registration, Board of Dental Examiners to establish a new 
dental hygienist licensing category that will accept alternative educational instruction 
programs, including qualified distance learning programs, instructional television 
networks and nontraditional clinical instructors, with the goal of providing students in 
distant locations across the State access to the training required to be a licensed dental 
hygienist. The Board of Dental Examiners is required to establish the qualifications and 
scope of practice for this new licensing category, which must include 2 years of 
experience as a dental assistant as well as sponsorship from a licensed Maine dentist. This 
resolve also requires the Board of Dental Examiners to report. on its progress in 
establishing the new licensing category to the Joint Standing Committee on Business, 
Research and Economic Development by February 1, 2010. 
The joint standing 
committee is authorized to submit legislation related to this report. 
Page I - 124LR0672(Ol)-1 
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