1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; providing for a limited general dentist license for certain 
1.3 	practitioners; providing for a study of alternative approaches to offering dental 
1.4 	coverage to enrollees of public programs;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, 
1.5 	section 150A.06, by adding a subdivision.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 150A.06, is amended by adding a 
1.8 	subdivision to read:
1.9 		Subd. 9.Graduates of nonaccredited dental programs. A graduate of a 
1.10 	nonaccredited dental program who successfully completes the clinical licensure 
1.11 	examination and meets all other applicant requirements of the board, shall be licensed to 
1.12 	practice dentistry and granted a limited general dentist license by the board. The board 
1.13 	shall place limitations on the licensee's authority to practice by requiring the licensee to 
1.14 	practice under the general supervision of a Minnesota-licensed dentist approved by the 
1.15 	board. A person licensed under this subdivision must practice for three consecutive years 
1.16 	in Minnesota pursuant to a written agreement, approved by the board, between the licensee 
1.17 	and a Minnesota-licensed dentist who may limit the types of services authorized. At the 
1.18 	conclusion of the three-year period, the board shall grant an unlimited license without 
1.19 	further restrictions if all supervising dentists who had entered into written agreements with 
1.20 	the licensee during any part of the three-year period recommend unlimited licensure, and if 
1.21 	no corrective action or disciplinary action has been taken by the board against the licensee.

1.22 	Sec. 2. PUBLIC DENTAL COVERAGE PROGRAM STUDY.
 2.1 	(a) To the extent that resources are available, the commissioner of human services 
2.2 	shall conduct a study to determine whether alternative approaches to offering dental 
2.3 	coverage to public programs enrollees would result in:
2.4 	(1) improved access to dental care;
2.5 	(2) cost savings to providers and the department; and
2.6 	(3) improved quality and outcomes of care.
2.7 	Alternatives to be considered by the commissioner shall include moving to a single 
2.8 	dental plan administrator, retaining the current model, and other innovative approaches. 
2.9 	Issues relating to chronic disease management, medical and dental interface, plan payment 
2.10 	approaches, and provider payment should also be addressed. The commissioner must 
2.11 	make a recommendation on whether to alter the current approach to contracting for dental 
2.12 	services, and include a detailed plan on how to implement any recommended changes. 
2.13 	The commissioner shall consult with dentists, safety net dental providers, dental plans, 
2.14 	health plans and county-based purchasing organizations, patients and advocates, and other 
2.15 	interested parties in developing their findings and recommendations.
2.16 	(b) By January 15, 2009, the commissioner shall report findings and 
2.17 	recommendations to the chairs of the house of representatives and senate committees 
2.18 	having jurisdiction over health and human services policy and finance.

2.19 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.