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Why is This Bill Needed?
Patients can go directly to a denturist’s office without a dentist referral under our license and have a very specific scope of practice. Unlike hygienists and dental assistants, this means that denturist practice outside of a dentist office and bill separately for their services.
Since many states do not have denturist licenses (they are recognized federally in Canada), many insurers are not familiar with this type of provider and do not include denturists in their dental provider networks. Some insurers are refusing to even allow dentists to refer patients to denturists.
HB 1683 ensures that dental only plans have denturists in their provider networks. This will ensure dental consumers have greater access to licensed, affordable and available providers. For denturists, their customers are often lower income and in need of services. If they are paying for an insurance benefit, they should be assured they can use the provider who provides the benefit.
This bill will ensure their dental insurance plans have this more affordable provider in the network for provision of dentures and other removable non-orthodontic dental prosthetic devices.
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