IT IS an undisputed fact that many in Massachusetts lack the opportunity to receive oral healthcare for a variety of reasons. The Massachusetts Dental Society is committed to alleviating this problem, but strongly disagrees with the solution offered by the Massachusetts Dental Hygienists Association ("Filling a gap in Bay State dental care," op-ed, April 21).
The current two-year dental hygiene curriculum does not provide adequate training and education for hygienists to perform independent diagnosis, evaluation, and limited restorative treatment.
Instead, the dental society endorses an alternative proposal to allow these functions under appropriate supervision and with a specified course requirement. We have also asked the Board of Registration in Dentistry to develop regulations and protocols to allow dental hygienists to treat patients in approved public health settings.
Access to care needs to be addressed with care and in a responsible, coordinated manner to ensure the highest quality of treatment for the long-term health of the public.
ANDREA RICHMAN
President
Massachusetts Dental Society
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