Testimony and Position Statements
The Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS) often speaks at public hearings to support or oppose legislation that would have an impact on our profession and dental patients. In addition, the MDS frequently submits written testimony and position statements to various legislative committees and regulatory bodies.
2021-2022 Testimonies and Position Statements
Regulation 101 CMR 314.00: Rates for Dental Services
An Act Relative to Increasing Patient Choice Through Assignment of Benefits (H. 1181) and An Act Relative to Medical Loss Ratio Reporting for Dental Benefits Corporations (H. 1182 / S. 632)
- MDS President Dr. Meredith Bailey Testimony
- MDS Government Affairs Committee Chair Dr. Keri Discepolo Testimony – also in support of An Act relative to ensuring treatment for genetic craniofacial conditions (S. 648)
- MDS Government Affairs Committee Consultant Dr. Andrew Tonelli Testimony
2019-2020 Testimonies and Position Statements
- Testimony in support of An Act to Provide Liability Protections for Health Care Workers and Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic (S.2630)
- MDS President Dr. Janis Moriarty testimony in support of An Act Relative to Dental Licensing Exams (H.1992)
- MDS Guest Board Member Dr. Alec Eidelman testimony in support of An Act Relative to Dental Licensing Exams (H.1992)
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Anesthesia Coverage for Children Hospitalized for Dental Treatment (H.1030)
- Letter to Boston Public Health Commission commenting on sales restrictions for flavored tobacco
- Testimony on assignment of benefits, non-covered services, and dental benefits transparency legislation
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Financial Services Contracts for Dental Benefits Corporations (S.545/H.1005)
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Transparency of Dental Benefits Corporations (S.544/H.3557)
- Letter to Joint Committee on Public Health chairs in support of An Act to Conduct a Comprehensive Study of Oral Injuries in School Sports (S.1224)
- Letter to House and Senate leaders in support of An Act Regulating Flavored Tobacco Products and An Act Protecting Youth from Nicotine Addiction
- Letter to Ways and Means Committee chairs in support of An Act Regulating Flavored Tobacco Products and An Act Protecting Youth from Nicotine Addiction
- Statement applauding Gov. Baker's declaration of vaping as a public health emergency
- Letter to the Massachusetts Attorney General concerning consumer safety risks posed by retail and virtual orthodontic companies
- Testimony in support of An Act Regulating Flavored Tobacco Products (S.1279/H.1902)
- Testimony in support of tobacco tax legislation
- Letter to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry concerning risks to patient safety posed by certain retail and virtual orthodontic companies
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Pupil Dental Health (H. 1891)
- Testimony regarding dental licensure exams
- Statement in support of Brookline Article 19: Tobacco Sales Restrictions
- Testimony in support of An Act to Improve Oral Health for All Massachusetts Residents (S.1215/H.1916)
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to the Restoration of MassHealth Adult Dental Benefits (S.1212/H.1917)
- Testimony in support of An Act to Provide Medicaid Coverage for Tobacco Cessation (S.704/H.1129)
- Testimony in support of An Act to Promote Healthy Alternatives to Sugary Drinks (S.1709/H.2529)
2017-2018 Testimonies and Statements
- Testimony before the Division of Insurance providing comment on the methodology for determining fees paid to participating dentists by Dental Service of Massachusetts, Inc.
- Letter to Ways and Means Committee chairs urging the reinstatement of MassHealth coverage for the treatment of periodontal disease
- Letter opposing An Act Prohibiting the Use of Fluoride in Public Drinking Water in the Commonwealth (S.1226)
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Dental Benefit Plan Transparency and Patient's Bill of Rights (H.582/S.504)
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Anesthesia Coverage for Children Hospitalized for Dental Treatment (H.551)
- Testimony in support of An Act Concerning Dental Service Corporations (H.2197)
- Testimony in support of An Act Concerning Dental Service Corporations (H.2197) submitted by Dr. Andrew Tonelli
- Testimony in support of An Act Concerning Dental Service Corporations (H.2197) submitted by Dr. John Gusha
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Financial Services Contracts of Dental Benefits Companies (H.583/S.506)
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Medical Loss Ratio for Insurance Corporations (S.505)
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Graduate Education for Certain Dental Professionals (H.2820/S.142)
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Graduate Education for Certain Dental Professionals (H.2820/S.142) submitted by Dr. Todd BelfBecker
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Graduate Education for Certain Dental Professionals (H.2820/S.142) submitted by Alec Eidelman
- Letter in support of An Act to Protect Youth from the Health Risks of Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction
- Letter submitted to MassHealth by State Representative James Cantwell (D-4th Plymouth District) in support of increasing dental reimbursement rates and the number of dental services covered for adults
- Reaction to the Governor’s Medicaid Reform Package: Dental Therapy Professionals and 140,000 Patients Losing Access to Medicaid Adult Dental Benefits
- Letter submitted to the Governor by the Oral Health Advocacy Taskforce urging the inclusion of a budget provision directing HHS to report a schedule and cost estimate for restoring MassHealth adult dental benefits by March 2018
- Testimony is support of An Act Establishing a Dentist Diversion Program (H.1980)
- Testimony in support of An Act Relative to Medical Loss Ratio for Insurance Corporations (H.584/S.505)
- Testimony in support of An Act to Promote Healthy Alternatives to Sugary Drinks (H.3329/S.1562)