Resolve, To Direct the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services To Implement Strategies To Increase the Provision of Oral Health Screenings to Preschool Children and Children Entering School

Sec. 1. Pilot programs to increase oral health screening. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education and pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 6454, shall develop one or more pilot programs, providing screenings at a total of 3 sites, to evaluate the provision of oral health screenings for preschool children and children entering elementary school. Pilot programs must be implemented at a total of 3 sites. Prior to establishing a pilot program, the commissioners shall:

1. Review existing oral health programs and initiatives in the State and develop an inventory of these programs and the services provided;

2. Review mandatory health screenings in other states and research and evidence on the effectiveness of oral health screenings in schools;

3. Identify the costs of implementing an oral health screening program and potential funding sources for the program; and

4. Develop standards of practice for screenings and appropriate training for school personnel.

A pilot program must clearly provide that a student whose parents object to oral health screenings may not be screened; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report to legislative committees on oral health pilot programs. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Education shall report on the development and implementation of pilot programs authorized under section 1 to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services and the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs no later than February 15, 2010. Using information obtained from the pilot programs, the commissioners shall include in the report the standards of practice developed for screenings, a description of the training needed to conduct the screenings and an estimate of the need for treatment for students without access to dental services. The report must also include an account of expenditures to implement the pilot programs; and be it further

Sec. 3. Authority to submit legislation. Resolved: That the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 124th Legislature pertaining to the provision of oral health screenings for preschool and elementary school students; and be it further

Sec. 4. Authorization to use grant funds. Resolved: That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 2128, subsection 5, funds from the Maine School Oral Health Fund may be used to implement pilot programs in accordance with this resolve. No more than $10,000 from the fund may be used to implement the pilot programs, including the cost of administration, coordination and evaluation of the pilot programs.