AS AN educator of our future dental hygiene professionals, I can attest to the rigorous, challenging academic curriculum our students must pass in order to practice as registered dental hygiene professionals. These students are involved in health initiatives throughout their academic careers and many have a passion for serving underserved children and families in Worcester County.
The bill now on Beacon Hill would allow our graduates, after working a year under the supervision of a licensed dentist, to provide preventative services to the underserved and to help fill the gap that now exists between those who can afford dental care and those who can't.
Unlike other diseases, dental disease is preventable through the use of fluorides, dental sealants, and access to professional care. Twenty-two other states including Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Maine have passed similar bills allowing hygienists to provide preventative services to the underserved. Aren't the children in Massachusetts deserving of this care as well?
JANE E. GAUTHIER
Coordinator
Dental Hygiene program
Quinsigamond Community College
