Yesterday, September 15, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 203 into law, priority legislation for Oral Health Ohio, which provides greater transparency and access to oral health services delivered by mobile dental facilities (MDF).
Oral Health Ohio is proud to have been a leader on this important legislation that will provide enhanced access to dental care for Ohioans and make it easier and more cost efficient for them to maintain good oral health. This legislation requires that patients who receive services on an MDF are provided a copy of their medical record so that efficient and effective services can be provided when seeking follow-up care at a dental office. Currently, these records do not follow the patient—which can lead to repeated services, and often results in out-of-pocket expenses for the patient.
The new law requires that the MDF provide the patient with:
A list of dental services provided to the patients.
Any recommendations regarding further dental services that are recommended.
A notice to the patient that the facility must provide access to the patient’s complete dental records.
Additionally, House Bill 203 will establish a framework for a statewide MDF database. Currently, there is no system in place to know which mobile dental facilities are operating in the state or the dentists associated with them. The bill requires dentists who work with an MDF to list that facility when they complete their annual registration with the State Dental Board.
We would like to thank Representative Scott Lipps (R-Franklin) for his leadership as the bill’s sponsor, as well as Governor DeWine for signing HB 203 into law.
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