State Sen. Nancy Barto, along with a bipartisan coalition of legislators, introduced legislation to create an allied dental professional to increase access to affordable oral healthcare.

The legislation creates a licensing structure, educational requirements and the scope of practice for dental therapists in Arizona. A broad coalition of oral health stakeholders, business community interests and community activists have worked together through Dental Care for Arizona to bring this proposal to Arizona lawmakers, according to a press release.

The bill, filed as SB1377, would allow for the training, licensure and use of dental therapists in both public and private dental care settings, a release states.

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