Residents of Greater Minnesota will have better access to dental care thanks to a new law sponsored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Vernon Center) and signed by Gov. Mark Dayton.

Senate File 662, which Gov. Dayton signed on April 3, changes Minnesota statute to allow out-of-state dental students to work in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across Minnesota. Previously, only in-state dental students were allowed to work in these clinics. When in-state dental schools ran out of students to provide each year, FQHCs found themselves with nowhere to turn.

“I am thrilled Gov. Dayton signed this important, bipartisan bill,” said Sen. Rosen. “Greater Minnesota has a severe shortage of dentists. It shouldn’t matter where a dental student attends school. As long as they are attending an accredited dental school, they should be able to provide this critical service while perfecting their skills under the strict supervision of licensed dentists. Greater Minnesota needs all the dentists it can get.

“This law will help us serve more patients, recruit more dentists long-term, and eventually help us eliminate the dentist shortage that has been plaguing our communities,” concluded Sen. Rosen.