The American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA) recently awarded Minnesota Sen. Ann Lynch (D-Rochester) with a presidential citation to recognize her efforts in passing legislation that will establish new oral health providers in Minnesota.
The significant impact of Sen. Lynch's efforts on patient access to care, as well as the dental hygiene community as a whole, are what led to her selection as a recipient of the ADHA Presidential Citation for having contributed substantially to the field of oral health, according to the association.
In May of this year, Minnesota became the first state in the U.S. to pass legislation allowing a midlevel oral health provider into state statute, thereby enabling students who are educated under the advanced dental hygiene practitioner model to become licensed to practice.
The dental therapist/advanced dental therapist provider language was the culmination of nearly two years of work spearheaded by Sen. Lynch, who first brought legislation to establish a new oral health provider forward in 2008.
"Senator Lynch's leadership has resulted in historic legislation in oral healthcare that will help those in Minnesota who currently struggle to obtain oral health care services," said Diann Bomkamp, R.D.H., B.S.D.H., immediate past president of the ADHA, in a press release. "The thoughtful and patient-focused approach employed during the legislative process is a testament to her commitment to the citizens of Minnesota and will serve as a reminder to all of us that public service matters."
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