Through the years , PDA has used dentists ’ collective voice in the legislative arena to accomplish great things :
Victories
Legislative
PASSED
Act 34 of 2023 : Legislation appropriating $ 12 million for a one-time payment to Medicaid dentists on claims from calendar year 2022 that include 31 dental codes , and another $ 12 million ( with a $ 26 million federal match ) to increase fees for those 31 codes in 2025 .
Act 159 of 2022 : Legislation allowing dentists and dental team members to apply three hours of pro bono service to their continuing education requirement with the State Board of Dentistry every renewal cycle .
Act 146 of 2016 : Legislation limiting the time frame in which insurers may retroactively review and deny dental claims to 24 months .
Act 186 of 2012 : Legislation prohibiting insurers from capping fees for dental services which are not covered in a patient ’ s plan .
Act 94 of 2012 : Legislation requiring insurers to cover the cost of general anesthesia when needed to treat patients of any age with special needs or children seven years of age or younger .
Act 7 of 2014 : Legislation allowing out-of-state dentists to apply for temporary licenses so that they may volunteer at charitable events or assist during states of emergency .
Act 19 of 2010 : Legislation that expands the scope of practice for expanded function dental assistants to include some hygiene functions performed under dentists ’ direct supervision .
AMENDED
Act 65 of 2012 : Legislation requiring dentists to carry malpractice insurance by including an exemption for dentists with volunteer licenses and those who practice in community-based settings .
Act 51 of 2007 : Legislation to safeguard patients and require additional training and education for public health dental hygiene practitioners practicing independently in public settings .
DEFEATED
Line item in state budget that would have required dentists to submit proof of having paid taxes before renewing their dental license , threatening their livelihood if the state made mistakes processing this information .
Legislation allowing municipalities to remove fluoride from water supplies without prior notification to the public or Department of Environmental Protection .
REINSTATED
Funding in the state budget for Dental Lifeline Network ’ s Donated Dental Services program .
SECURED
Act 96 of 2001 : An agreement not to include dentistry in legislation that would have required the use of costly needleless systems that are not always conducive to providing the best patient care possible .
REMOVED
Philadelphia Ordinance 040904- AAAA : Provisions in a city ordinance that required dentists to install amalgam separators and display a poster in their offices needlessly alarming patients about the dangers of “ mercury amalgam .”
TRANSFORMED
Act 160 of 1994 : The dental profession by convincing the legislature to legitimize the practice of expanded function dental assistants , increasing dental office productivity .
STOPPED
SB 1258 of 1999 : The legislature from passing a bill prohibiting dentists from administering general anesthesia and deep sedation in their offices .
To learn more about current legislative efforts visit the Government Relations section of the website : www . padental . org / advocacy .