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Minutes for SB312 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Licensure of dental therapists.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 1, 2018
Chairperson Schmidt opened the hearing on SB312.
Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor, gave an overview of the bill.
Kevin Robertson testified as a proponent of SB312 stating that while the KDA is not in full agreement, a dental therapist is the best answer to address dental access concerns in Kansas. Dental therapists will increase dental access across Kansas, particularly with the state's Medicaid population. Dental therapists will also increase dental care in settings like schools, nursing homes, etc. where dentists are not present. (Attachment 1)
Janette Delinger stated in her proponent testimony that with the passage of SB312, dental therapists will address a critical public health need in Kansan's access to oral health care. (Attachment 2)
Dr. John Fales testified that he believes SB312 represents an excellent compromise in that irreversible procedures are performed only under the "Direct Supervision" of a Kansas licensed dentist. It is designed to maximize patient safety while at the same time increasing access to much needed dental care and would allow a Medicaid participating dentist to employ and supervise up to three dental therapists. (Attachment 3)
Tonya Dorf Brunner presented proponent testimony stating that the collaboration on SB312 will work best in meeting the oral health needs of all Kansans. (Attachment 4)
Cathleen Taylor Osborne stated in her testimony that the passage of SB312 affords the ability of a registered dental hygienist a broad scope of practice after graduating from an accredited program approved for the study of dental therapy and fulfilling licensing requirements. (Attachment 5)
Questions were posed by committee members.
Written proponent testimony was submitted by Rachel Marsh, St. Francis Community Services (Attachment 6) and
Jennifer Morris, Kansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (Attachment 7)
Reagan Cussimanio testified as neutral for Steve Coen stating that while SB312 expands access to care, the supervision restrictions will prevent meaningful expansion of access to care. She testified that SB312 is a good starting point for establishing a dental therapy provider in Kansas and improving access to oral health care services.(Attachment 8)
Cindy Luxem gave neutral testimony for SB312 sharing the testimony of Loretta Seidl, an oral health consultant. Loretta Seidl proposes the return of the original supervising agreement language contained in SB308 which, in part, would allow immediate oral care due to extenuating circumstances and also allow extractions as residents may not be able to receive immediate oral care.(Attachment 9)
Lisa Thurlow's testimony supports SB312. After careful study and seeing dental therapists work firsthand in Minnesota and Alaska, she believes that dental therapists can provide safe, quality oral health care and improve access to care for the underserved in Kansas. (Attachment 10)
Rachel Monger testified as neutral, stating that dental therapists must be allowed to enter a nursing home and perform their full scope of practice without a requirement that a dentist be physically on the premises. (Attachment 11)
Katrina McGivern on behalf of Denise Cyzman and Annie McKay testified as neutral (Attachment 12)
Chairperson Schmidt asked B. Lane Hemsley to clarify the "in office" definition. Direct supervision definition has been on the "books" since 2009.
Written neutral testimony was also submitted by:
B. Lane Hemsley, Executive Director, Kansas Dental Board (Attachment 13)
Jenn Glendening, Americans for Prosperity (Attachment 14)
Scott Anglemyre, Kansas Association of Community Action Programs (Attachment 15)
Peggy Kelly, Kansas Head Start Association (Attachment 16)
Mitzi McFatrich, Kansas Advocates for Better Care (Attachment 17)
Christie Appelhanz, Children's Alliance of Kansas (Attachment 18)
Charlie Katebi, The Heartland Institute (Attachment 19)
Opponent oral testimony was presented by Representative Nancy Lusk. Due to time constraints, the hearing on SB312 was continued to Monday, February 5, 2018 at 9:30, which will allow Representative Lusk to continue her testimony.
Chairperson Schmidt adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. The next scheduled meeting will be February 5, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.
