Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill to allow dental therapists to provide care in federally qualified health centers.
House Bill 1678, titled "Establishing and authorizing the profession of dental therapy," provides more dental care to rural and underserved communities, according to a May 15 news release from the Washington State House Democrats.
Before the bill was passed, dental therapists in Washington were only allowed to administer care on tribal lands.
Rep. Marcus Ricelli, chair of the House Health Care & Wellness Committee, was the primary sponsor of the bill.