Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

HELENA - Montana is one of 11 states that does not provide free dental sealants to children in public schools, but that could be changing in the coming months.

The Montana Dental Hygienists Association wants to see Montana implement a dental sealant program in the public schools.

The president of the organization, Colleen Grass, told a legislative committee, "The reason we are bringing this to the committee is that we see a need and we have a very well-equipped workforce that can help meet that need."

She continued, "It seems that 39 other states...know something that Montana doesn't, and that is that dental hygienists are the key to expanding preventative dental care to our children."

The hygienists have proposed a draft bill which would allow hygienists to enter the schools and place the sealants without a dentist.

The Montana Dental Association, however, would like the language changed to require that a dentist be present for such procedures.

Mary McCue, executive director of the MDA, explained, "You need to have a dentist involved because it is okay to place a sealant over a very small amount of decay. You can do that and the sealant will be effective. But if there is any more than a small amount then that is going to negate the effectiveness of the sealant."

The Children, Families, Health & Human Services committee agreed to carry the bill, stating the specifics could be worked out during session.

Legislators agreed this bill is key to improving access to dental care for children who can't afford it.

The federal healthcare reform bill passed earlier this year provides funding for states which implement school sealant programs; legislators are hoping to access that funding in order to pay for the program.