Section 2128 - Grant program to promote oral health assessments and care for childrenThe commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall administer a grant program to promote oral health assessments of children entering elementary school and facilitate the provision of care for those students identified as in need of dental services. [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]
1.Eligibility for grants. A nonprofit organization may apply for a grant by submitting an application as requested by the commissioner to demonstrate that the applicant: A. Has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a school administrative unit to provide oral health assessments; [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]B. Is able to provide dental care or secure dental care through an identified dental care provider to a child identified as needing dental care within 6 months of the assessment date; and [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]C. Has the capacity to record and compile data identified by the commissioner as necessary to monitor and evaluate the grant program. [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).] [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]
2.Children served. A recipient of a grant shall contract with a school administrative unit to provide oral health assessments to children entering kindergarten or as soon as practicable upon a child's initial enrollment in an elementary school. A recipient of a grant shall provide assessments and necessary dental services to children who are eligible for MaineCare or members of MaineCare and to children who do not have insurance for dental care. [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]
3.Duties of commissioner. The commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall develop:A. A process for reviewing applications and selecting grant recipients; [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]B. Criteria for prioritizing geographic areas to be served; [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]C. Standards for oral health assessments conducted under this section, including, but not limited to, the qualifications of the dental professional conducting the assessment and the equipment used and steps included in an assessment; [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]D. Guidelines for the types of dental disease or abnormality that when detected indicate a need for dental care within 6 months of the assessment date; [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]E. A prevention and educational component to be incorporated into the assessments; and [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]F. A program evaluation process and measures for assessing the impact and effectiveness of the grant program. [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).] [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]
4.Administration. The commissioner may contract for administration of the grant program or components of the grant program. [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]
5.Fund established. The Maine School Oral Health Fund is established as a dedicated, nonlapsing fund within the department. The commissioner may accept funds from any public or private source for the purposes of awarding grants and administering the grant program under this section. [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]
6.Rulemaking. The commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, may adopt rules to implement this section. Rules adopted in accordance with this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A. [2005, c. 653, §2(NEW).]
2005, c. 653, § 2 (NEW) .