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S 696

An Act ensuring transparency in the practice of dental leased networks

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brendan Crighton

Massachusetts bill requiring dental leased networks to disclose operational terms, fees, and requirements to improve transparency for patients and dental providers.

Accompanied a study order, see S2931
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Bill Summary · S 696

Legislative bill overview

S 696 requires dental leased networks—arrangements where dentists operate within networks controlled by third-party entities—to disclose their terms, fee structures, and operational requirements to patients and participating providers. The bill aims to increase transparency in how these networks operate and impact dental care delivery and costs.

Why is this important

Dental leased networks have expanded significantly, with corporate entities controlling practice operations while dentists retain clinical independence. Lack of transparency can obscure how these arrangements affect patient access, treatment recommendations, pricing, and dentist autonomy—creating potential conflicts of interest between network profitability and patient care.

Potential points of contention

  • Business confidentiality vs. transparency: Network operators may argue that detailed fee schedules, profit-sharing agreements, and operational terms constitute proprietary business information that shouldn't be publicly disclosed.
  • Implementation costs: Requiring comprehensive disclosure systems could impose administrative and compliance costs on networks, potentially passed to providers or patients.
  • Scope and enforceability: Unclear whether the bill mandates disclosure to individual patients, providers only, regulators, or some combination—and what penalties apply for non-compliance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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