AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- DENTISTS AND DENTAL HYGIENISTS

HB 7837 allows dental hygienists working in public-health settings - such as schools, nursing homes, and community health centers - to receive reimbursement from insurance companies or Medicare, not just Medicaid. Currently, these hygienists could only be paid by Medicaid or state healthcare programs, but the bill removes that restriction. This change expands payment options for preventive dental services provided in community settings without altering the requirement for a written agreement with a dentist or patient consent forms. The bill directly affects dental hygienists and public-health facilities by enabling broader insurance coverage for their services.