More dental students could go where help is needed most

Students of all accredited dentistry schools would be able to practice with supervision in Minnesota, under a bill passed 130-0 by the House Tuesday.

HF397/SF662*, sponsored by Rep. Bob Loonan (R-Shakopee) and Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center) would update an “antiquated” law that only gives University of Minnesota dental students the exemption needed for doing supervised clinical work.

Passed 64-0 by the Senate March 16, the bill goes to the governor.

The Open Door Health Center in Mankato asked the University of Minnesota to connect them with dental students who could help provide care for uninsured and low-income community members, but there weren’t enough students, CEO Douglas Jaeger told the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee last month.

WATCH Full video from Tuesday's House Floor session

When he approached another accredited dental school, they told him of the law. Neither the University of Minnesota nor the state Board of Dentistry could explain why the provision was first put in place, Jaeger said.

The bill would allow students to practice under the indirect supervision of licensed dentists or under the instruction of licensed dental therapists, hygienists and assistants. Non-school-specific exemptions are already in place for students of other dental care professions.