We all deserve access to quality dental care, no matter our race, where we live, or what insurance we can afford. But in Washington state, more than 2 million residents, particularly people in communities of color, low-income families, and residents of rural communities, do not have access to the dental care they need.
This legislative session, we have a chance to expand access to quality oral health care across the state. Substitute House Bill 1678 will authorize dental therapists to practice in more community-based health care settings, extending the care that has been successfully provided on Tribal lands in Washington since 2017.
Dental therapy is a safe, well-researched way to increase access to culturally-competent, community-focused oral healthcare.
SHB 1678 has passed out of Rules in the House of Representatives and will be up for a floor vote as early as this weekend. Tell your lawmakers to vote YES on SHB 1678 so that all Washingtonians can have access to affordable, local oral healthcare!
