Committee Unanimously Advances Speaker Fecteau’s Bill to Expand Dental Care Access

LD 2123 will cut waitlists and travel for MaineCare members needing surgical dental care

AUGUSTA – The Joint Committee on Health and Human Services today gave unanimous approval to LD 2123, proposed by Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D-Biddeford) to address a growing backlog of children awaiting care for dental issues.

Across the state, many children and adults on MaineCare lack a “dental home,” meaning they do not have a dentist they see regularly for cleanings and other preventative care. Without this routine maintenance, curable issues – things like cavities – turn into surgical events, with long waits for care.

“Maine children and adults should not have to suffer for months with tooth pain waiting to get the care they need,” said Speaker Fecteau. “I appreciate the committee’s support of this measure, which will help ease that suffering and make it more feasible for dentists to access ambulatory surgery centers to provide this critical care. Dental care is health care. And health care is a human right.”

The amended version approved by the committee proposes a targeted increase to reimbursement rates for deep sedation services provided to MaineCare members across Maine – both children and adults. As a result, dentists and dental surgery centers across Maine will be able to continue their operations, increase capacity, and reduce wait times.

“Preventive dental care is a crucial part of setting children up for a lifetime of good health,” said Representative Ambureen Rana (D-Bangor), who cosponsored the bill. “A shortage of dentists across Maine – especially in rural areas – has a domino effect, resulting in more serious dental issues, monthslong wait times and long travel for treatment. I am thrilled that the committee has shown strong support for this bill, which will expand access and incentivize more providers to provide this critical dental care to Maine kids.”

The committee will review the amended bill language in the coming weeks, and then the bill will head to the House and Senate for additional votes.

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