Bill
LD 806
The law expands or adjusts what expanded function dental assistants can legally perform under dentist supervision in Maine.
Status and key dates
- Introduced: February 27, 2025 (House)
- Committee: Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services (reported Out OTP‑AM; Committee Amendment “A” H‑119 adopted)
- Passed: May 20–21, 2025 (passed as an emergency measure, 2/3 vote required)
- Signed by Governor: May 23, 2025 — became law as an emergency measure (effective upon signature)
Purpose and intent
- The bill amends the statutory scope of practice for “expanded function dental assistants” (EFDAs) in Maine. Its primary purpose is to change what clinical tasks and responsibilities EFDAs are authorized to perform under dentist supervision, thereby modifying workforce practice rules in dentistry.
What the bill does (high level)
- The enacted law revises statutory language to expand or otherwise modify the allowable functions of EFDAs. The legislative record indicates the bill was amended in committee (Committee Amendment A), but the specific procedural tasks added or changed are set out in the bill text and implementing rule language (not included in the provided documents).
- Because it was enacted as an emergency measure, the law took effect immediately upon the Governor’s signature.
Who is affected
- Expanded Function Dental Assistants: their permitted duties, supervision requirements, and potential training/certification obligations may change.
- Dentists and dental practices: will need to adjust delegation and supervision practices; may use EFDAs differently in clinical workflows.
- Board of Dental Practice (Department of Professional and Financial Regulation): responsible for regulation, possible rulemaking, and licensing or certification adjustments.
- Patients and payers: may experience changes in access to care and how certain procedures are delivered.
Fiscal and administrative impact
- The Department of Professional and Financial Regulation estimates a reduction in revenue to the Board of Dental Practice of approximately $20,000 biennially (Other Special Revenue Funds). The fiscal notes (preliminary and revised versions) consistently report this projected biennial revenue loss.
- The Board will likely need to update rules, forms, guidance, and oversight procedures to implement the statutory changes.
Implications and next steps
- Typical impacts of scope expansions include increased practice flexibility, potential improvements in access to dental care, changes in training/certification requirements, and adjustments to supervision/liability practices — the bill’s specific provisions determine which of these apply.
- For the precise list of authorized procedures, training or certification requirements, and any supervisory conditions created by this law, consult the enacted bill text and subsequent Board of Dental Practice rulemaking (available on the Maine Legislature website and the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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