House approves dental bill

    AUGUSTA – The Maine House of Representatives unanimously voted April 9 to enact a bill that would increase access to dental care in rural areas.
    Rep. Patricia Sutherland (D-Chapman) sponsored the public health legislation in order to address the shortage of dentists in all areas of Maine, but particularly in the most rural areas.     “Many people are foregoing regular check-ups because they can’t get in to see a dentist or because a trip to the dentist would require driving so far that they would have to miss a whole day of work,” said Sutherland. “Without regular visits, people end up with more acute medical problems that affect a patient’s entire health situation.”
    The bill will provide an income tax credit of up to $15,000 for dentists who join or open a new practice or buy an existing practice in an underserved area and agree to practice for at least five years in an underserved area as defined by the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The bill will allow the credit for up to five new rural dentists in 2009, and another five in 2010. A review reporting on the effectiveness of the tax credit will be provided to the Legislature by the oral health program in 2011.
    “We have a significant dental crisis in Maine, and that crisis is growing in rural areas,” said Rep. Richard Cleary (D-Houlton), a supporter of the bill. “Similar programs have proven successful in other fields, so I’m encouraged that this legislation will result in success, too.”
    The bill will now go to the Senate for final passage.