Pamela Sparks Stein, DMD, dean of the University of Pikeville (Ky.) College of Dental Medicine, recently testified before a state legislative committee in support of increased Medicaid services, the Appalachian News-Express reported Aug. 17.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear issued an executive order in October that granted Medicaid patients access to more dental services, including dentures and implants. The order was appealed this year because of funding concerns, the news organization reported.
Dr. Sparks-Stein was among a group that addressed the state's interim Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee to voice their support for expanded services.
Dr. Sparks-Stein was appointed dean of the dental school in September 2022. The school is scheduled to open in 2025 to increase access to dental services in the Appalachian region.
She told the subcommittee she previously practiced in rural counties and was a Medicaid provider for 13 years, during which she witnessed the challenges these patients face accessing care.
Legislators discussed during the meeting issues with how the first expansion was funded and what needed to be done to further expand services.
Subcommittee Co-chair Rep. Derek Lewis said legislators need to prepare to discuss the expansion further during the 2024 legislative session.