Legislation Supporting Oral Health Is Pending in the Maryland State Legislature
The 2024 Maryland General Assembly session is focusing on dental care legislation, as highlighted by the House Health and Government Operations Committee. Among the bills already introduced, one aims to study the feasibility of providing additional dental services for low-income residents, while another proposes mandatory dental health screenings for elementary and secondary school children entering Maryland’s public school system. The move toward enhancing dental care stems from concerns raised by the Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC), emphasizing the integral role of oral health in systemic health. MDAC previously achieved the extension of Medicaid dental coverage for adults, benefiting more than 170,000 individuals since its launch in January 2023. However, challenges persist, including transportation issues and work-related constraints hindering access to dental appointments. Click here to read more.
