The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) recently awarded Minnesota State Senator Ann Lynch with a presidential citation to recognize her extraordinary efforts in passing legislation which will establish new oral health providers in Minnesota.

Minnesota became the first state to pass legislation allowing a "mid-level" oral health provider into state statute-enabling students who are educated under the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) model to become licensed to practice. The Minnesota state House and Senate overwhelmingly passed Senate File 2083, a bill establishing the Dental Therapist and Advanced Dental Therapist providers in the state. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the bill into law on May 16.

The Dental Therapist/Advanced Dental Therapist provider language was the culmination of nearly two years of work spearheaded by Minnesota State Senator Ann Lynch who first brought legislation to establish a new oral health provider forward in 2008.

"Senator Lynch's leadership has resulted in historic legislation in oral health care that will help those in Minnesota who currently struggle to obtain oral health care services," said Diann Bomkamp, RDH, BSDH, immediate past-president of ADHA. "The thoughtful and patient-focused approach employed during the legislative process is a testament to her commitment to the citizens of Minnesota and will serve as a reminder to all of us that public service matters."

The significant impact of Senator Lynch's efforts on patient access to care, as well as the dental hygiene community as a whole, are what led to her selection as a recipient of the American Dental Hygienists' Association Presidential Citation for having contributed substantially to the field of oral health.

For more information on Senate File 2083, please visit here.

Source
American Dental Hygienists' Association