Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, is working to improve access to dentists in rural Pennsylvania.

Rapp recently introduced House Resolution 68 in the state House of Representatives. It was referred to the Health Committee for discussion in an upcoming meeting.

“I plan to introduce a resolution to boost oral health care in rural communities. For quite some time, rural Pennsylvanians have faced significant societal barriers such as lack of insurance, lack of transportation, or a shortage of oral health providers,” Rapp wrote in her legislative memorandum. “My resolution will explore ways to reduce the cost of dental care while increasing availability. It will include a review of the benefits of teledentistry, mobile dentistry, and a cost benefit analysis of increasing oral care to those living in rural communities.”

A bill authorizing the regulation of teledentistry by the Pennsylvania Board of Dentistry and providing for insurance coverage of teledentistry was introduced in the state House of Representatives last year by Rep. Thomas Murt, R-Montgomery. The legislation never made it to the floor of the Professional Licensure Committee for a vote.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, telehealth was allowed to be used after a March 26, 2020, order by the state Health Department. The state wanted teledentistry to be used to assess if someone had an urgent or emergency dental condition that could be treated via teledentistry or required an in-office visit. Teledentistry can be practiced in many ways such as video consultation, provider education courses, and patient monitoring to address a patient’s oral health.

Rapp wrote that teledentistry is practiced in 23 states with most of the states allowing Medicaid agencies to authorize reimbursement. She said mobile dentistry has become a valuable tool in delivering oral health services to rural Pennsylvanians, with at least 40 state Medicaid programs reimbursing for mobile dental services.

“However, it is important to note that most of the funding for this program is through grants, health care reimbursements, or donations,” Rapp wrote. “Lastly, I believe a cost benefit analysis should be conducted to showcase the need for additional funding and services in rural areas throughout Pennsylvania. As a result, I intend to direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a cost benefit analysis pertaining to the cost of oral care for those living in Pennsylvania’s most rural areas.”