HB 2622-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

     Declares that measures such as oral health screenings and access to oral health disease prevention methods should be readily available to children in a variety of health care settings, including dental, medical clinic, and family physician settings.  If prevention methods are employed, there will be substantial savings to the state's overburdened health care system.

     Encourages the superintendent of public instruction, the department of health, and the department of social and health services to collectively and collaboratively develop a plan that promotes age appropriate oral health screenings and preventive services at age one and at age five, or before entering a public or private school setting.  The departments may report to the legislature on their findings and recommendations.

     Encourages the secretary to design and implement a program of oral health prevention training sessions for physicians, physicians' assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners, and dental hygienists in each county no less than once per year, or at appropriate intervals in counties with lower numbers of resident physicians.