An Act To Improve Access to Preventive, Cost-saving Dental Services
Maine Legislature, Session 128, LD 1301
Committee: Health and Human Services
Sponsors: MARTIN, KATZ, CHACE, FARNSWORTH, FREY, HYMANSON, MALABY, STEARNS, WADSWORTH, CHIPMAN
Amends: 22 MRSA §3174-F

Legislative Document
No. 1301
H.P. 898
House of Representatives, April 4, 2017
An Act To Improve Access to Preventive, Cost-saving Dental 
Services
Reference to the Committee on Health and Human Services suggested and ordered printed.
ROBERT B. HUNT
Clerk
Presented by Representative MARTIN of Eagle Lake.
Cosponsored by Senator KATZ of Kennebec and
Representatives: CHACE of Durham, FARNSWORTH of Portland, FREY of Bangor, 
HYMANSON of York, MALABY of Hancock, STEARNS of Guilford, WADSWORTH of 
Hiram, Senator: CHIPMAN of Cumberland.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1.  22 MRSA §3174-F, sub-§1, ¶D, as amended by PL 1997, c. 159, §1, is 
further amended to read: 
D.  Treatment necessary to relieve pain, eliminate infection or prevent imminent 
tooth loss; and 
Sec. 2.  22 MRSA §3174-F, sub-§1, ¶F, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 159, §2, is 
amended to read: 
F.  Other dental services, including full and partial dentures, medically necessary to 
correct or ameliorate an underlying medical condition, if the department determines 
that provision of those services will be cost-effective in comparison to the provision 
of other covered medical services for the treatment of that condition.; and 
Sec. 3.  22 MRSA §3174-F, sub-§1, ¶G is enacted to read: 
G.  Beginning October 1, 2017, dental services including an annual comprehensive 
oral examination, including necessary x-rays or other imaging and preventive 
services, including prophylaxis, topical fluoride, sealants, oral hygiene instruction, 
behavior management and smoking cessation counseling and other services as 
determined by the department. The department shall provide restorative treatment 
necessary to prevent or treat oral health conditions, to reduce or eliminate the need 
for future acute oral health care, and to avoid more costly medical or dental care. 
Sec. 4.  22 MRSA §3174-F, sub-§§3 and 4 are enacted to read: 
3.  Notice to MaineCare members.  Beginning October 1, 2017, the department 
shall provide notice of dental benefits available under this section to an individual when 
the individual enrolls as an adult member of MaineCare. 
4.  Notice to providers.  Annually, the department shall provide to providers of 
services under this section educational opportunities relating to the scope of benefits 
covered under this section and administrative requirements for obtaining these benefits. 
The educational opportunities required under this subsection may be delivered by 
electronic newsletters, educational training meetings, policy briefings and fact sheets. 
This subsection takes effect October 1, 2017. 
Sec. 5.  Notice to MaineCare members.  By November 1, 2017, the Department 
of Health and Human Services shall provide to MaineCare members notice of adult 
dental benefits available under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3174-F, 
subsection 1. 
Sec. 6.  Written notice to providers.  By November 1, 2017, the Department of 
Health and Human Services shall provide to providers of dental care enrolled as 
MaineCare providers written notice of adult dental benefits available under the Maine 
Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3174-F, subsection 1. 
Sec. 7.  Rulemaking; stakeholder group.  By October 1, 2017, the Department 
of Health and Human Services shall adopt rules in accordance with this section to 
implement the provisions of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 3174-F, 
subsection 1, paragraph G. 
1. Stakeholder group.  Prior to adopting rules to implement the provisions of Title 
22, section 3174-F, subsection 1, paragraph G, the Department of Health and Human 
Services shall convene a stakeholder group to identify those dental services that are 
necessary to prevent more costly medical or dental care. The stakeholder group must 
consist of members representing dentists, federally qualified health centers, consumers, 
dental hygienists, hospitals and a clinical health system with experience in adult oral 
health initiatives. 
2. Rulemaking.  When adopting rules to implement the provisions of Title 22, 
section 3174-F, subsection 1, paragraph G, the department shall consider dental services 
identified by a stakeholder group pursuant to subsection 1. 
Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, 
chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. 
SUMMARY 
This bill requires that, beginning October 1, 2017, MaineCare coverage for adult 
dental services include an annual comprehensive oral examination and preventive 
services, including prophylaxis, topical fluoride, sealants, oral hygiene instruction, 
behavior management and smoking cessation counseling.