'Open wide': Dental hygienists lobby legislators
By Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
The special interest group that descended on Beacon Hill today packed the tools of their trade: dental picks, mouth mirrors, tongue cleaners, floss, toothpaste, and old-fashioned brushes. Their hands-on lobbying technique will go straight to the mouths of lawmakers, who will tip their heads back, drop their jaws, and be told to "open wider."
 Globe file photo |
It is dental hygiene day on Beacon Hill, which means lawmakers are being plied with free oral health exams at the State House. The state's dental hygienists are advocating for several bills, including a proposal that would expand their representation on the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Density.
In addition to the free exams, dental hygienists will hand out toothbrushes and toothpaste and host a raffle for an Oral B Triumph Smart Guide Toothbrush, which retails for $120.
In March 2007, more than 100 hygienists and students attended the group's annual lobbying effort.
The size of the region's dental lobby was evident in February when more than 28,000 dentists, hygienists, and office assistants converged on South Boston for a conference and triggered traffic jams that clogged the Massachusetts Turnpike and Interstate 93.
The 33d annual Yankee Dental Congress was more than jabber about cavities, gingivitis, and fluoride. Red Sox slugger Jim Rice posed for pictures. Grammy winner Sheryl Crow performed. And actor Geena Davis came for a celebrity lunch.
Material from State House News Service was included in this report.
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