Resolve, To Expand Dental Care in the State by Extending the Pilot Program for Dental Hygienists
Maine Legislature, Session 127, LD 0187
Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Sponsors: VOLK, BECK, CUSHING, GERZOFSKY, HAMPER, MILLETT, FECTEAU, JORGENSEN

Legislative Document 
No. 187 
S.P. 62 
In Senate, January 27, 2015 
Resolve, To Expand Dental Care in the State by Extending the Pilot 
Program for Dental Hygienists 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development 
suggested and ordered printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator VOLK of Cumberland. 
Cosponsored by Representative BECK of Waterville and 
Senators: CUSHING of Penobscot, GERZOFSKY of Cumberland, HAMPER of Oxford, 
MILLETT of Cumberland, Representatives: FECTEAU of Biddeford, JORGENSEN of 
Portland. 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, pursuant to Resolve 2011, chapter 67 and chapter 153, independent 
practice dental hygienists in certain underserved areas of the State are allowed to expose 
and process radiographs; and 
Whereas, this authorization is set to expire on March 15, 2015; and 
Whereas, this legislation, which continues the authorization and expands its 
application to the entire State, needs to take effect prior to March 15, 2015 to avoid an 
interruption in the services; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1.  Resolve 2011, c. 67, §1, first ¶, amended. Resolved: That Resolve 
2011, c. 67, §1, first ¶, as amended by Resolve 2011, c. 153, §1, is further amended to 
read: 
Sec. 1.  Pilot project for underserved and other areas of the State.  
Resolved:  That the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of 
Dental Examiners shall establish a pilot project to allow a licensed independent practice 
dental hygienist to expose and process radiographs under protocols developed by the 
Board of Dental Examiners.  Until March 15, 2015, this pilot project applies only within 
areas of the State that have been designated by the United States Department of Health 
and Human Services as dental health professional shortage areas.  Beginning March 15, 
2015, the pilot project applies statewide. 
; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Resolve 2011, c. 67, §1, last ¶, amended. Resolved:  That Resolve 
2011, c. 67, §1, last ¶, as amended by Resolve 2011, c. 153, §3, is further amended to 
read: 
The pilot project terminates March 15,  2015 2017; and be it further 
Emergency clause.  In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
Under a pilot project that is scheduled to expire on March 15, 2015, independent 
practice dental hygienists are allowed to expose and process radiographs in areas of the 
State that have been designated by the United States Department of Health and Human 
Services as dental health professional shortage areas. 
This resolve continues the authority of these independent practice dental hygienists to 
expose and process radiographs for 2 more years, except that the authorization applies in 
the entire State for those additional 2 years.