126th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 1230		LR 1022(14)
	An Act To Improve Access to Oral Health Care
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Engrossed with: C "C" (H-589) H "B" (H-658) to C "C" (H-589)
	Committee: Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development
Fiscal Note
Potential future biennium cost increase - General Fund Potential future biennium cost increase - Other Special Revenue Funds
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	While the bill requires MaineCare reimburse for dental hygiene therapist services beginning October 1, 2014, any increase in MaineCare costs would not likely occur until the following biennium.  The fiscal impact on MaineCare will ultimately depend on the timing and number of dental hygiene therapists licensed in Maine, the type and volume of services provided and the extent to which these services replace existing dental services provided.
	The Board of Dental Examiners, affiliated with the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, will incur additional costs to implement and administer a licensure process for dental hygiene therapists.  However, these costs are not expected to be incurred until future biennia as it is anticipated that it will take several years before potential candidates become qualified to apply for and receive licensure.  Additional costs for the Board of Dental Examiners to contract with an education consultant, if necessary, to approve the dental hygiene therapy education program until a model curriculum is adopted, and for the rulemaking process, will be borne by the Board within its available budgeted resources.  The current unobligated balance in the Board of Dental Examiner's Other Special Revenue Funds account is $883,393.