Bolinsky Backs Effort to Expand Home-Based Oral Health Care

HARTFORD, CT — State Representative Mitch Bolinsky (R–Newtown), Ranking Member of the State’s Aging Committee, voiced strong support for a consensus committee bill that will expand access to routine, preventative oral health care services to include homebound Connecticut residents.

At a press conference hosted by the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI), Rep. Bolinsky joined fellow lawmakers, dental professionals, and advocates in urging passage of House Bill 5303. The proposal would allow licensed dental hygienists to provide preventive oral health care directly in patients’ homes.

The bill, which passed unanimously out of the Aging Committee, would permit hygienists with at least two years of experience to deliver services—including cleanings, oral exams, X-rays, and referrals—in private residences under the same standards currently applied in nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and group homes.

“This is exactly the kind of common-sense legislation that our Aging Committee always agrees upon, and the reason we pass so much good, non-partisan policy”, said Rep. Bolinsky, who continued, “There’s never a bill that passes out of this committee with surprises.  We keep things simple by focusing on the well-being of our Seniors, as well as expanding the “portability” of Aging-in-Place services for folks that may otherwise be unable to access preventative care. We also engage our stakeholders early, knowing many of them will be the ultimate administrators of the programs we make portable. It’s this kind of transparency, and genuinely open idea-exchange that helps our committee pass our priority bills with unanimous, or near unanimous support.  This “unity of purpose” makes our team very special.”

Aging committee Co-Chair, Representative Jane Garibay (D–Windsor/Windsor Locks), kicked-off the event, by emphasizing the importance of removing barriers to care for vulnerable populations, and Dr. Frank Amaefuna, a CT dentist and COHI board member spoke in support saying, “When patients go years without seeing a dental professional, they are more likely to experience preventable issues - this legislation creates a pathway to reach those patients before small issues become serious health problems.”

Research confirms that untreated oral health issues can contribute to serious medical conditions, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Allowing care in the home will improve early detection and reduce preventable health complications for countless residents, from our homebound seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, to residents facing transportation barriers. According to DataHaven, approximately 400,000 Connecticut adults experience transportation insecurity, and nearly half have not seen a dentist in the past year. Among Medicaid-enrolled adults, that number rises to 50 percent.

Bolinsky concluded, “Our homebound seniors, veterans, and disabled deserve access to the same quality of care as the rest of us. HB-5303 makes this possible without creating new state programs or mandates, plus, performing preventative care has been shown to ultimately reduce system-wide cost by heading off more intensive, more dangerous surgical or coronary care.  I’m proud to stand with my colleagues and COHI, taking this step to improve outcomes and quality of life with this simple initiative.”   

HB-5303 has received bipartisan support, and is amassing bipartisan co-sponsors, including Reps Bolinsky and Garibay. It is currently awaiting action on the House floor.