Maryland Commission to Study the Dental Hygienist Shortage - Establishment
Impact
The Commission, consisting of various health and education stakeholders, is tasked with assessing strategies to improve recruitment and retention of dental hygienists. This includes suggestions for expanding educational opportunities in higher education institutions, increasing support for dental hygiene students, and developing recruitment strategies tailored to the specific needs of different regions across Maryland. The interim and final reports, due in December 2025 and December 2026 respectively, will present findings and recommendations to the Maryland Department of Health and the General Assembly.
Summary
House Bill 849 establishes the Maryland Commission to Study the Dental Hygienist Shortage. The goal of this Commission is to support efforts to enhance the oral health of Maryland residents by ensuring a stable and sustainable dental hygiene workforce within the state. Specifically, the bill mandates an examination of the current shortage of dental hygienists and its impact on oral health across various communities, including urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Contention
While the bill has broad support due to the recognized need for qualified dental professionals, there are concerns regarding the implementation of some of the proposed strategies. Stakeholders from various sectors express potential worries about the sufficiency of resources allocated for the recruitment initiatives, as well as the adequacy of support systems for currently enrolled dental hygiene students. Moreover, the temporary nature of the Commission, set to automatically expire in mid-2027, raises questions on the sustainability of efforts to address the shortage long-term.
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