§256g–1 Demonstration program to increase access to dental health care services

Summary

The Secretary may give grants to 15 eligible groups so they can start demonstration programs that train or hire alternative dental health care providers to expand dental care in rural and underserved areas. Alternative dental health care providers may include community dental health coordinators, advanced practice or independent or supervised dental hygienists, primary care doctors, dental therapists, dental health aides, and others the Secretary allows. Projects must begin no later than 2 years after March 23, 2010, and must end no later than 7 years after March 23, 2010. Eligible applicants include colleges (including community colleges), public‑private partnerships, federally qualified health centers, Indian Health Service facilities or tribes, state or county public clinics and similar tribal or urban Indian clinics, and public hospitals or health systems. Applicants must be in a Commission on Dental Accreditation program or an accredited dental education program and apply as the Secretary requires. Each grant must be at least $4,000,000 for the five‑year project. Up to 20% may be paid one year after March 23, 2010 for planning; the rest must be paid so at least 15% of the remaining funds are paid each following year. Grant recipients must follow state licensing rules. The Secretary must hire the Institute of Medicine to study and report on the demonstrations. Indian Health Service‑approved dental health aide training programs may get grants. Money as needed is authorized to run the program.