Dentists and Dentistry

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Improving Dental Services in Rural and Underserved Areas

This bill requires the Tennessee Department of Health to create programs that enhance access to dental services in rural and underserved areas, with approval from the Commissioner of Finance and Administration.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the commissioner of health to make new programs for better dental services in places where people need them most.
• These programs can work with dental schools, fix up clinics, give incentives to dentists, offer special dental care like restorative treatments, help seniors get dental care, and train more providers.
• The programs must be approved by the commissioner of finance and administration before they start.

Who It Names or Affects

• People living in rural or underserved areas who need better access to dental services.
• Dental schools that may partner with the state to improve dental care.
• Clinics and dentists who might receive incentives or training opportunities through these programs.

Terms To Know

Commissioner of Health

The person in charge of Tennessee's Department of Health, responsible for public health issues including dental services.

Underserved Areas

Places where there are not enough healthcare providers or facilities to meet the needs of the population.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not provide specific funding for these programs, so they will need additional approval and funds from the state budget.
• The exact impact on dental services cannot be estimated until the commissioner decides how to implement the new programs.

Official Summary Text

This bill requires the
commissioner of health
to
create programs designed to enhance access to dental services in rural and underserved areas. The programs may include cooperative agreements with dental schools, enhancements and up
grades to departmental clinic sites, provider incentive programs, restorative and other specialty dental services, programs supporting dental care for seniors, training opportunities for providers, and support for high technology and telecommunications ef
f
orts.

All programs
so
created by the commissioner are subject to the approval of the commissioner of finance and administration.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 643
By Carringer

SENATE BILL 742
By Yager

SB0742
001767
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63,
Chapter 5 and Title 68, relative to dental services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 1, Part 3, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) The commissioner of health shall create programs designed to enhance
access to dental services in rural and underserved areas. The programs may include
cooperative agreements with dental schools, enhancements and upgrades to
departmental clinic sites, provider incentive programs, restorative and other specialty
dental services, programs supporting dental care for seniors, training opportunities for
providers, and support for high technology and telecommunications efforts.
(b) All programs created by the commissioner of health pursuant to subsection
(a) are subject to the approval of the commissioner of finance and administration.
SECTION 2. This act is not an appropriation of funds, and funds shall not be obligated
or expended pursuant to this act unless the funds are specifically appropriated by the general
appropriations act.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.