MA S1569

Creates a new "dental therapist" license requiring a master's degree from an accredited program, passage of a competency-based clinical examination, and 2 years or 2,500 hours of direct supervision before practicing under general supervision with a collaborative management agreement with a supervising dentist.

Requires at least 50% of a dental therapist's patient panel to consist of MassHealth members or underserved populations, including those in dental shortage areas, long-term care facilities, or with incomes at or below 305% of the federal poverty level.

Limits supervising dentists to collaborative agreements with no more than 3 dental therapists at once, and caps most practices at 6 dental therapists per organization, with exceptions for federally qualified health centers and non-profit organizations.

Mandates public schools to notify parents of students about the importance of oral health screenings, with the Department of Public Health developing a standard notice containing information on primary teeth, oral health's connection to learning, and affordable dental care resources.

Requires community health workers to receive oral health education or training as a condition of licensure, and directs a 5-year evaluation of dental therapists' impact on patient safety, cost-effectiveness, and access to dental services.