Three states have recently advanced or passed legislation affecting dentistry, including expanding Medicaid, adding to the scope of practice for dental hygienists and increasing reimbursements.
Three recent legislative actions:
1. The New Hampshire legislature passed a bill to add diagnostic and preventive dental coverage for adult Medicaid patients. Gov. Chris Sununu has indicated he will sign the bill into law, which would go into effect in April 2023.
2. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed into law a bill that allows dental hygienists to use nitrous oxide and local infiltration anesthesia to assist dentists with dental procedures.
3. The Illinois legislature advanced four bills affecting dentistry, addressing workforce shortages, equity and reimbursements.