N.Y. Public Health Law § 2958-a: Rural dentistry pilot program

§ 2958-a. Rural dentistry pilot program. 1. The commissioner shall,

within monies appropriated therefore, establish a rural dentistry pilot

program in Chautauqua, Allegany, and Cattaraugus counties. The

commissioner shall, in coordination with the University of Buffalo

School of Dentistry study cost savings achieved through the provision of

dental services in geographically isolated and underserved areas. Such a

study shall determine:

(i) the quality of care provided through a mobile dental system,

including minimizing any adverse effects on dental practices already

serving or seeking to enter rural or underserved communities, the

involvement of dental practices serving rural or underserved communities

in such a mobile dental system, and the establishment of referral

systems and networks to existing dental practices serving rural or

underserved communities for regular ongoing care of patients;

(ii) cost savings achieved through targeted oral health initiatives in

rural areas;

(iii) corollaries between preventative dental care and improved

patient outcomes in rural areas;

(iv) knowledge, attitude, and behavior outcomes among dental students

and recommendations for rural dental health education curriculum;

(v) a profile of the participants, the number of persons served, and

health care disparities;

(vi) a description of the activities of the program;

(vii) guidance on facilitated participation in rural areas;

(viii) provider shortages in rural areas;

(ix) a description of the impact of the programs on the community and

recommendations for replication/improvement in other rural areas; and

(x) such other activities as the commissioner may deem necessary and

appropriate to this section.

2. Twelve months after the approval of the rural dentistry pilot

program, and annually thereafter, the program shall report to the

commissioner on the progress of the program. The commissioner shall

evaluate the findings of the study and report to the governor, the

temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the

chair of the senate standing committee on health, the chair of the

assembly health committee and the chair of the legislative commission on

rural resources on its findings.

3. Additionally, to the extent of funds appropriated therefore,

medical assistance funds, including any funding or shared savings as may

become available through federal waivers or otherwise under titles

eighteen and nineteen of the federal social security act, may be used

for expenditures in support of the demonstration program.

4. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law to the contrary,

the commissioner is authorized to waive, modify or suspend the

provisions of rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to article

twenty-eight of this chapter if the commissioner determines that such

waiver, modification or suspension is necessary for the successful

implementing of the rural dentistry pilot program authorized pursuant to

this section and provided that the commissioner determines that the

health, safety and general welfare of people receiving health care under

such rural dentistry pilot program will not be impaired as a result of

such waiver, modification, or suspension.