Key Quotes

Aug. 21, 2013

Comments about bill allowing dental therapists

  • “Maine faces an oral health care crisis. Dental hygiene therapists will play a critical role in addressing this crisis by ensuring our kids and seniors get the dental care they need.” — Mark Eves, bill co-sponsor of the legislation and speaker of the house in Maine
  • "The need for dental care in our rural part of Maine is huge. We see it every single day. This legislation will give us the flexibility we need to offer dental care in a financially sustainable way. We'll be able to hire a dentist knowing that we can also hire a dental hygiene therapist to work as part of their team to extend their care for the most needed routine services. Our Community Dental Center in Southwest Harbor that is up and running looks forward to the day when we can add a dental hygienist therapist to our team." — Julian Kuffler, MD, MPH, medical director of the community health center at Mount Desert Island Hospital in Southwest Harbor, Maine.
  • “Dental hygiene therapists will serve as part of the overall oral health team, working with dentists to improve the access to care for all Mainers. The bipartisan effort that brought this bill through the Legislature is a perfect example of legislators working together to ensure that all Mainers have the tools they need to lead healthy lives.” — Eves, a Democrat
  • “I am proud of the work accomplished by the legislature on this important issue. By implementing a midlevel provider, we can strengthen our oral health teams with new resources to serve our children’s needs. I believe this legislation gets us on the path of providing more access and professional dental care to underserved areas of Maine. This bill is a wonderful example of legislators working together and putting the people of Maine before politics.” — State senator David Burns, a Republican
  • “This is a victory for the people of Maine. Dental hygiene therapists will make a real difference in improving access to care. This law is a testament to the broad coalition that has worked diligently to address the state’s oral health needs and Pew was proud to be a part of their efforts.” — Shelly Gehshan, director of Pew Charitable Trusts children’s dental campaign
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