Senators Rodríguez and Eltife file SB 787 to provide much-needed access to dental care

AUSTIN, Texas – Late yesterday, state Senators José Rodríguez (D-El Paso) and Kevin Eltife (R-Tyler) introduced Senate Bill 787 to improve much-needed access to dental care, create middle-class jobs, and reduce health costs for Texas families and seniors. Identical legislation was filed in the House by state Representatives Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston), Dan Flynn (R-Canton), and John Raney (R-Bryan). This effort has the backing of more than two dozen health, business, and policy organizations.

Thousands of Texans suffer from poor oral health because they cannot find affordable dental care. Last year, fifty-eight percent of Texas counties had a dental provider shortage, and the state ranked 47th nationally in the number of dentists needed to close this provider gap. Every Texas family pays the price for lack of access to dental care. In 2013, 51,000 Texans on Medicaid visited an emergency room for dental problems, which cost the state more than $14 million. Nearly six in 10 Texas children have experienced dental decay, and more one-quarter have untreated decay.

S.B. 787 and H.B. 1940 will close these gaps by enabling dental hygienists to advance their careers and build upon their preventive scope of practice through an additional two years education and training to become licensed Dental Hygiene Practitioners (DHP). DHPs will be trained to provide routine preventive and restorative care under the supervision of a dentist. As a result, dentists will have greater freedom to expand their practice, which raises revenues, economic growth, and the number of patients seen by a dental provider.

“For many of my constituents, it is nearly impossible to find an affordable dental provider. In fact, three of the counties in my district do not have a dentist. Furthermore, regulations on dental hygienists in Texas are the strictest in the nation. If competition continues to be hindered by antiquated laws, access will continue to be compromised and cost savings inhibited. We already trust our hygienists to provide excellent care. Expanding their training will bring badly needed care to people in the West Texas region, grow the economy, and create health care jobs,” said Rodríguez.

The legislation is backed by a diverse group of organizations who form the Texas Dental Access Coalition and includes:

  • AARP
  • Americans for Taxpayer Reform
  • Career Colleges & Schools of Texas
  • Center for Public Policy Priorities
  • Children at Risk
  • Children’s Defense Fund-Texas
  • Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
  • Grassroots America – We Are the People
  • Helping the Aging, Needy and Disabled
  • Silver Haired Legislature
  • Texas Action for Healthy Kids
  • Texas Association of Adult Day Care Centers
  • Texas Association of Business
  • Texas Conservative Coalition
  • Texas Dental Hygienists Association
  • Texas Dental Hygienists Educators Association
  • Texas Hospital Association
  • Texas Impact
  • Texas Public Policy Foundation
  • The ARC of Texas
  • The Geo Group

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José Rodríguez represents Texas Senate District 29, which includes the counties of El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis, and Presidio. He represents both urban and rural constituencies, and more than 350 miles of the Texas-Mexico border. Senator Rodríguez currently serves as the Chairman of the Senate Hispanic Caucus, and is a member of the Senate Committees on Education; Health and Human Services; Veteran Affairs and Military Installations; Nominations; and Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs. 

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