Marketplace just came out with a great story explaining the dental access crisis in Vermont and the proven potential of dental therapy to improve oral health care in the state. It’s pretty exciting to be getting national coverage on such a critical issue, especially as we inch closer to the 2016 legislative session. Speaking with …
Access to oral health care received a boost recently, after the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) voted to set national standards and accreditation processes of dental therapy education programs. As VPIRG and the Vermont Oral Health Care For All Coalition gear up to bring S.20- a bill that allows dental therapists to practice in Vermont– …
National Action Expands Dental Care and Occupational Opportunities Read More »
This commentary originally ran in the Times Argus on May 1. We have an oral health crisis in Vermont. Thousands of Vermonters go without needed dental care every single year — in 2011 and 2012, nearly 100,000 people didn’t get care. And, if you live in Vermont and you get your dental insurance through Medicaid …
Today, S.20, a bill that allows dental therapists to practice in Vermont, passed the Senate floor on an 18 – 8 vote. This legislation, sponsored by Sen. Claire Ayer (D-Addison), Sen. Michael Sirotkin (D-Chittenden), and Sen. Jeanette White (D-Windham), will increase access to affordable, quality dental care for all Vermonters. Sponsor and Chair of the Government …
Legislation to Improve Access to Dental Care for All Passes Senate Floor Read More »
This week the Government Operations Committee voted 4-1 to pass legislation to allow mid-level dental providers (called dental therapists) to expand the dental team in Vermont. The Committee took testimony a wide range of stakeholders including advocates, and oral health professionals from across the country. Some of the most compelling testimony came on Tuesday afternoon …
Government Operations Committee Passes Bill to Expand Access to Dental Care Read More »
Today VPIRG and allies from the Vermont Oral Health Care for All Coalition gathered at the State House to voice support for legislation that would expand Vermont’s dental workforce. S.20 and H.1 would allow Licensed Dental Practitioners to provide dental services in the state of Vermont and address dental access issues faced by Vermont. Click …
Oral Health Care For All Coalition Calls For Licensed Dental Practitoners Read More »
With the first week of the 2015 Legislative Session wrapping up, check out VPIRG’s priorities for 2015! (Click the Program Name to jump to that section). Clean Energy Consumer Protection Elections & Government Reform Environmental Protection Health Care Toxics & Environmental Health Clean Energy Putting a Price on Pollution: With storms like Irene giving us …
Yesterday the Senate Government Operations Committee Voted 4-1 to pass S.35, a bill that would allow mid-level dental providers, called dental practitioners, to practice in Vermont. Dental practitioners have a higher level of training than a hygienist, but not the same level of training as dentists. S.35 would allow dental practitioners to do all the …
Vermont has the oldest average age for dentists in the entire country. In fact, in less than eight years, a third of the dentists in Vermont will have retired. Help address the looming dental crisis in Vermont by signing this petition calling for licensed dental practitioners today! One tool in the toolbox available to decision …
Moving Health Care Forwards, Not Backwards Most Vermonters recognize that our state has work to do when it comes to replacing our current for-profit health care system with one that’s affordable, high-quality, and available to all. Proponents of our broken health care system have signaled that during the legislative session, they’re planning to grandstand, obstruct …
