110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1781
To provide disadvantaged children with access to primary dental
care services.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 29, 2007
Mr. DINGELL (for himself, Mr. SIMPSON, Mr. HOYER, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. WAXMAN,
Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. WYNN, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. ROSS, Mr. ENGEL, Ms.
ESHOO, Mr. ALLEN, Ms. DEGETTE, and Ms. SCHAKOWSKY) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in
addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To provide disadvantaged children with access to primary dental
care services.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `Children's Dental Health
Improvement Act of 2007'.
(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
TITLE I--IMPROVING DELIVERY OF PEDIATRIC DENTAL SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID
AND SCHIP
Sec. 101. Grants to improve the provision of dental services under Medicaid
and SCHIP.
Sec. 102. Guarantee of dental benefits under SCHIP.
Sec. 103. State option to provide wrap-around SCHIP coverage to children
who have other health coverage.
TITLE II--CORRECTING GME PAYMENTS FOR DENTAL RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS
Sec. 201. Limitation on the application of the 1-year lag in the Indirect
Medical Education ratio (IME) changes and the 3-year rolling average for
counting interns and residents for IME and Direct Graduate Medical Education
(D-GME) payments under the Medicare program.
TITLE III--IMPROVING DELIVERY OF PEDIATRIC DENTAL SERVICES UNDER COMMUNITY
HEALTH CENTERS, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, AND THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
Sec. 301. Grants to improve the provision of dental health services through
community health centers and public health departments.
Sec. 302. Dental officer multiyear retention bonus for the Indian health
service.
Sec. 303. Demonstration projects to increase access to pediatric dental
services in underserved areas.
Sec. 304. Technical correction.
TITLE IV--IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAMS
Sec. 401. Oral health initiative.
Sec. 403. Early childhood caries.
Sec. 404. School-based dental sealant program.
Sec. 405. Basic oral health promotion.
TITLE I--IMPROVING DELIVERY OF PEDIATRIC DENTAL SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID
AND SCHIP
SEC. 101. GRANTS TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF DENTAL SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID
AND SCHIP.
Title V of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 701 et seq.) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
`SEC. 511. GRANTS TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF DENTAL SERVICES UNDER MEDICAID
AND SCHIP.
`(a) Authority To Make Grants- In addition to any other payments made under
this title to a State, the Secretary shall award grants to States that satisfy
the requirements of subsection (b) to improve the provision of dental services
to children who are enrolled in a State plan under title XIX or a State
child health plan under title XXI (in this section, collectively referred
to as the `State plans').
`(b) Requirements- In order to be eligible for a grant under this section,
a State shall provide the Secretary with the following assurances:
`(1) IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY- The State shall have a plan to improve
the delivery of dental services to children, including children with special
health care needs, who are enrolled in the State plans, including providing
outreach and administrative case management, improving collection and
reporting of claims data, and providing incentives, in addition to raising
reimbursement rates, to increase provider participation.
`(2) ADEQUATE PAYMENT RATES- The State has provided for payment under
the State plans for dental services for children at levels consistent
with the market-based rates and sufficient enough to enlist providers
to treat children in need of dental services.
`(3) ENSURED ACCESS- The State shall ensure it will make dental services
available to children enrolled in the State plans to the same extent as
such services are available to the pediatric population of the State.
`(1) IN GENERAL- Funds provided under this section may be used to provide
administrative resources (such as program development, provider training,
data collection and analysis, research-related tasks, demonstration programs,
and technical assistance) to assist States in providing and assessing
services that include preventive and therapeutic dental care regimens.
`(2) LIMITATION- Funds provided under this section may not be used for
payment of direct dental, medical, or other services or to obtain Federal
matching funds under any Federal program.
`(d) Application- A State shall submit an application to the Secretary for
a grant under this section in such form and manner and containing such information
as the Secretary may require.
`(e) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated
to make grants under this section $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and each
fiscal year thereafter.
`(f) Application of Other Provisions of Title-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in paragraph (2), the other provisions
of this title shall not apply to a grant made under this section.
`(2) EXCEPTIONS- The following provisions of this title shall apply to
a grant made under subsection (a) to the same extent and in the same manner
as such provisions apply to allotments made under section 502(c):
`(A) Section 504(b)(6) (relating to prohibition on payments to excluded
individuals and entities).
`(B) Section 504(c) (relating to the use of funds for the purchase of
technical assistance).
`(C) Section 504(d) (relating to a limitation on administrative expenditures).
`(D) Section 506 (relating to reports and audits), but only to the extent
determined by the Secretary to be appropriate for grants made under
this section.
`(E) Section 507 (relating to penalties for false statements).
`(F) Section 508 (relating to nondiscrimination).
`(G) Section 509 (relating to the administration of the grant program).'.
SEC. 102. GUARANTEE OF DENTAL BENEFITS UNDER SCHIP.
(a) In General- Section 2103(c)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
1397cc(c)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
`(E) Dental services described in section 1905(r)(3) and provided in
accordance with 1902(a)(43).'.
(b) Information Reporting- Section 2108 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1397hh) is
amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
`(e) Information on Dental Services-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Each State shall submit to the Secretary, not less frequently
than annually and in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, the
following information with respect to the provision of the care and services
described in section 1905(r)(3) under the State child health plan to targeted
low-income children enrolled in the plan at any time during the fiscal
year involved:
`(A) The number of such enrolled children by age grouping.
`(B) For children within each such age grouping, information of the
type contained in questions 12(a)-(c) of CMS Form 416 that consists
of the number of enrolled targeted low income children who receive any,
preventive, or restorative care described in such section under the
State plan.
`(C) For the age grouping that includes age 8, the number of enrolled
targeted low-income children who receive a protective sealant on at
least one permanent molar tooth.
`(2) PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF REPORTS- The Secretary shall post on the public
website of the Secretary of Health and Human Services the results of information
most recently reported under paragraph (1). The Secretary shall include
in such posting information, by age grouping beginning with dental visits
occurring by age one, on the estimated national averages for all States
with respect to such information.'.
(1) INCLUSION OF DENTAL BENEFITS- The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on January 1, 2008, and shall apply to child health
assistance provided on or after that date.
(2) REPORTING- The amendment made by subsection (b) shall apply to reports
for years after the effective date described in paragraph (1).
SEC. 103. STATE OPTION TO PROVIDE WRAP-AROUND SCHIP COVERAGE TO CHILDREN
WHO HAVE OTHER HEALTH COVERAGE.
(A) STATE OPTION TO PROVIDE WRAP-AROUND COVERAGE- Section 2110(b) of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397jj(b)) is amended--
(i) in paragraph (1)(C), by inserting `, subject to paragraph (5),'
after `under title XIX or'; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
`(5) STATE OPTION TO PROVIDE WRAP-AROUND COVERAGE- A State may waive the
requirement of paragraph (1)(C) that a targeted low-income child may not
be covered under a group health plan or under health insurance coverage,
if the State satisfies the conditions described in section 2105(c)(8).
The State may waive such requirement in order to provide--
`(A) dental services described in section 2103(c)(1)(E); or
`(B)(i) benefits for items or services that are not covered, or are
only partially covered, under such plan; and
`(ii) protection against incurring out of-pocket costs (including premiums)
in excess of the limitations otherwise applicable to a targeted low-income
child with the same family income.
In waiving such requirement, a State may limit the application of the
waiver to children whose family income does not exceed a level specified
by the State, so long as the level so specified does not exceed the maximum
income level otherwise established for other children under the State
child health plan.'.
(B) CONDITIONS DESCRIBED- Section 2105(c) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1397ee(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(8) CONDITIONS FOR PROVISION OF WRAP-AROUND COVERAGE- For purposes of
section 2110(b)(5), the conditions described in this paragraph are the
following:
`(A) INCOME ELIGIBILITY- The State child health plan (whether implemented
under title XIX or this title)--
`(i) has the highest income eligibility standard permitted under this
title as of January 1, 2008;
`(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), does not limit the acceptance of
applications for children; and
`(iii) provides benefits to all children in the State who apply for
and meet eligibility standards.
`(B) NO WAITING LIST IMPOSED- With respect to all targeted low-income
children, the State does not impose any numerical limitation, waiting
list, or similar limitation on the eligibility of such children for
child health assistance under such State plan.
`(C) NO MORE FAVORABLE TREATMENT- The State child health plan may not
provide more favorable coverage of dental services to the children covered
under section 2110(b)(5) than to children otherwise covered under this
title.'.
(C) STATE OPTION TO WAIVE WAITING PERIOD- Section 2102(b)(1)(B) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397bb(b)(1)(B)) is amended--
(i) in clause (i), by striking `and' at the end;
(ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period and inserting `; and';
and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
`(iii) at State option, may not apply a waiting period in the case
of a child described in section 2110(b)(5), if the State satisfies
the requirements of section 2105(c)(8).'.
(2) APPLICATION OF ENHANCED MATCH UNDER MEDICAID- Section 1905 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d) is amended--
(A) in subsection (b), in the fourth sentence, by striking `or subsection
(u)(3)' and inserting `(u)(3), or (u)(4)'; and
(i) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and
(ii) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
`(4) For purposes of subsection (b), the expenditures described in this
paragraph are expenditures for items and services for children described
in section 2110(b)(5), but only in the case of a State that satisfies
the requirements of section 2105(c)(8).'.
(3) APPLICATION OF SECONDARY PAYER PROVISIONS- Section 2107(e)(1) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1)) is amended--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D) as subparagraphs
(C) through (E), respectively; and
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
`(B) Section 1902(a)(25) (relating to coordination of benefits and secondary
payer provisions) with respect to children covered under a waiver described
in section 2110(b)(5).'.
(b) Effective Date- The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect
on January 1, 2008, and shall apply to child health assistance and medical
assistance provided on or after that date.
TITLE II--CORRECTING GME PAYMENTS FOR DENTAL RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS
SEC. 201. LIMITATION ON THE APPLICATION OF THE 1-YEAR LAG IN THE INDIRECT
MEDICAL EDUCATION RATIO (IME) CHANGES AND THE 3-YEAR ROLLING AVERAGE FOR
COUNTING INTERNS AND RESIDENTS FOR IME AND DIRECT GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
(D-GME) PAYMENTS UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.
(a) IME Ratio and Rolling Average- Section 1886(d)(5)(B)(vi) of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(5)(B)(vi)) is amended by adding at the
end the following new sentence: `For cost reporting periods beginning during
fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2007, subclauses (I) and (II)
shall be applied only with respect to a hospital's approved medical residency
training program in the fields of allopathic medicine and osteopathic medicine.'.
(b) D-GME Rolling Average- Section 1886(h)(4)(G) of the Social Security
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(h)(4)(G)) is amended by adding at the end the following
new clause:
`(iv) APPLICATION FOR FY 2008 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS- For cost reporting
periods beginning during fiscal years beginning on or after October
1, 2007, clauses (i) through (iii) shall be applied only with respect
to a hospital's approved medical residency training program in the
fields of allopathic medicine and osteopathic medicine.'.
TITLE III--IMPROVING DELIVERY OF PEDIATRIC DENTAL SERVICES UNDER COMMUNITY
HEALTH CENTERS, PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS, AND THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
SEC. 301. GRANTS TO IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF DENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH
COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.
Subpart I of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
254b et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
`SEC. 330M. GRANT PROGRAM TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF SERVICES.
`(a) In General- The Secretary, acting through the Health Resources and
Services Administration, shall establish a program under which the Secretary
may award grants to eligible entities and eligible individuals to expand
the availability of primary dental care services in dental health professional
shortage areas and medically underserved areas.
`(1) ENTITIES- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section an
entity--
`(i) a health center receiving funds under section 330 or designated
as a Federally qualified health center;
`(ii) a county or local public health department, if located in a
federally-designated dental health professional shortage area;
`(iii) an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as defined in section
4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 450b));
`(iv) a dental education program accredited by the Commission on Dental
Accreditation; or
`(v) a community-based program the child service population of which
is made up of at least 33 percent of children who are eligible children,
including at least 25 percent of such children being children with
mental retardation or related developmental disabilities, unless specific
documentation of a lack of need for access by this sub-population
is established; and
`(B) shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require, including information concerning dental provider capacity
to serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
`(2) INDIVIDUALS- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section
an individual shall--
`(A) be a dental health professional licensed or certified in accordance
with the laws of State in which such individual provides dental services;
`(B) prepare and submit to the Secretary an application at such time,
in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require; and
`(C) provide assurances that--
`(i) the individual will practice in a federally-designated dental
health professional shortage area; or
`(ii) not less than 25 percent of the patients of such individual
are--
`(I) receiving assistance under a State plan under title XIX of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.);
`(II) receiving assistance under a State plan under title XXI of
the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et seq.); or
`(1) ENTITIES- An entity shall use amounts received under a grant under
this section to provide for the increased availability of primary dental
services in the areas described in subsection (a). Such amounts may be
used to supplement the salaries offered for individuals accepting employment
as dentists in such areas.
`(2) INDIVIDUALS- A grant to an individual under subsection (a) shall
be in the form of a $1,000 bonus payment for each month in which such
individual is in compliance with the eligibility requirements of subsection
(b)(2)(C).
`(d) Primary Dental Care Services Defined- For purposes of this section,
the term `primary dental care services' means dental services necessary
to prevent disease and promote oral health, restore oral structures to health
and function, and treat emergency conditions, and includes dental services
described in section 1905(r)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(r)(3)).
`(e) Authorization of Appropriations-
`(1) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other amounts appropriated under
section 330 for health centers, there is authorized to be appropriated
$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to hire and retain
dental health care providers under this section.
`(2) USE OF FUNDS- Of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use--
`(A) not less than 65 percent of such amount to make grants to eligible
entities; and
`(B) not more than 35 percent of such amount to make grants to eligible
individuals.'.
SEC. 302. DENTAL OFFICER MULTIYEAR RETENTION BONUS FOR THE INDIAN HEALTH
SERVICE.
(a) Terms and Definitions- In this section:
(1) CREDITABLE SERVICE- The term `creditable service' includes all periods
that a dental officer spent in graduate dental educational (GDE) training
programs while not on active duty in the Indian Health Service and all
periods of active duty in the Indian Health Service as a dental officer.
(2) DENTAL OFFICER- The term `dental officer' means an officer of the
Indian Health Service designated as a dental officer.
(3) DIRECTOR- The term `Director' means the Director of the Indian Health
Service.
(4) RESIDENCY- The term `residency' means a graduate dental educational
(GDE) training program of at least 12 months leading to a specialty, including
general practice residency (GPR) or an advanced education general dentistry
(AEGD).
(5) SPECIALTY- The term `specialty' means a dental specialty for which
there is an Indian Health Service specialty code number.
(b) Requirements for Bonus-
(1) IN GENERAL- An eligible dental officer of the Indian Health Service
who executes a written agreement to remain on active duty for 2, 3, or
4 years after the completion of any other active duty service commitment
to the Indian Health Service may, upon acceptance of the written agreement
by the Director, be authorized to receive a dental officer multiyear retention
bonus under this section. The Director may, based on requirements of the
Indian Health Service, decline to offer such a retention bonus to any
specialty that is otherwise eligible, or to restrict the length of such
a retention bonus contract for a specialty to less than 4 years.
(2) LIMITATIONS- Each annual dental officer multiyear retention bonus
authorized under this section shall not exceed the following:
(A) $50,000 for a 4-year written agreement.
(B) $10,000 for a 3-year written agreement.
(C) $8,000 for a 2-year written agreement.
(1) IN GENERAL- In order to be eligible to receive a dental officer multiyear
retention bonus under this section, a dental officer shall--
(A) be at or below such grade as the Director shall determine;
(B) have completed any active duty service commitment of the Indian
Health Service incurred for dental education and training or have 8
years of creditable service;
(C) have completed initial residency training, or be scheduled to complete
initial residency training before September 30 of the fiscal year in
which the officer enters into a dental officer multiyear retention bonus
written service agreement under this section; and
(D) have a recognized dental specialty.
(2) EXTENSION TO OTHER OFFICERS- The Director may extend the retention
bonus to dental officers other than officers with a dental specialty in
pediatric dentistry, as well as to other dental hygienists with a minimum
of a baccalaureate degree, based on demonstrated need.
(d) Termination of Entitlement to Special Pay- The Director may terminate,
with cause, at any time a dental officer's multiyear retention bonus contract
under this section. If such a contract is terminated, the unserved portion
of the retention bonus contract shall be recouped on a pro rata basis. The
Director shall establish regulations that specify the conditions and procedures
under which termination may take place. The regulations and conditions for
termination shall be included in the written service contract for a dental
officer multiyear retention bonus under this section.
(1) IN GENERAL- Prorated refunds shall be required for sums paid under
a retention bonus contract under this section if a dental officer who
has received the retention bonus fails to complete the total period of
service specified in the contract, as conditions and circumstances warrant.
(2) DEBT TO UNITED STATES- An obligation to reimburse the United States
imposed under paragraph (1) is a debt owed to the United States.
(3) NO DISCHARGE IN BANKRUPTCY- Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, a discharge in bankruptcy under title 11, United States Code, that
is entered less than 5 years after the termination of a retention bonus
contract under this section does not discharge the dental officer who
signed such a contract from a debt arising under the contract or under
paragraph (1).
SEC. 303. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO PEDIATRIC DENTAL
SERVICES IN UNDERSERVED AREAS.
(a) Authority To Conduct Projects- The Secretary of Health and Human Services,
through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration
and the Director of the Indian Health Service, shall establish demonstration
projects that are designed to increase access to dental services for children
in underserved areas, as determined by the Secretary.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated
such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
SEC. 304. TECHNICAL CORRECTION.
Section 340G(b)(1)(B) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256g(b)(1)(B))
is amended by striking `and' at the end and inserting `or'.
TITLE IV--IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAMS
SEC. 401. ORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE.
(a) Establishment- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish
an oral health initiative to reduce the profound disparities in oral health
by improving the health status of vulnerable populations, particularly low-income
children, children with developmental disabilities, and ethnic and racial
minority populations that experience a disproportionate level of dental
disease, to the level of health status that is enjoyed by the majority of
people in the United States.
(b) Activities- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, through
the oral health initiative--
(1) carry out activities to improve intra-agency and inter-agency collaborations,
including activities to identify, engage, and encourage existing Federal
and State programs to maximize their potential to address oral health;
(2) carry out activities to encourage public-private partnerships to engage
private sector communities of interest (including health professionals,
educators, State policymakers, foundations, business, and the public)
in partnerships that promote oral health and dental care, in addition
to allowing for contractual relationships between federally qualified
health centers and private dental providers to increase access to dental
care for adults and children;
(3) carry out activities to reduce the disease burden in high risk populations
through the application of best-science in oral health, including programs
such as community water fluoridation and dental sealants;
(4) carry out activities to improve the oral health literacy of the public
through school-based education programs; and
(5) provide for the development, implementation, or integration of outreach
and education programs to families of children enrolled in Medicaid or
SCHIP, particularly such children who are members of populations that
experience oral health disparities, that increase awareness of dental
coverage, when to seek dental services, and how to obtain such services.
(c) Coordination- The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall--
(1) through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, establish the Chief Dental Officer for the Medicaid and State
children's health insurance programs established under titles XIX and
XXI, respectively, of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.
1397aa et seq.);
(2) through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration,
establish the Chief Dental Office for all oral health programs within
the Health Resources and Services Administration;
(3) through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
establish the Chief Dental Officer for all oral health programs within
such Centers; and
(4) carry out this section in collaboration with the Administrators and
Chief Dental Officers described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section, $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums
as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year.
SEC. 402. CDC REPORTS.
(a) Collection of Data- The Director of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, in collaboration with other organizations and agencies,
shall collect data through State-based oral health surveillance systems
describing the dental, craniofacial, and oral health of residents of all
50 States and certain Indian tribes.
(b) Reports- The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
shall compile and analyze data collection under subsection (a) and annually
prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning
the oral health of States and Indian tribes.
SEC. 403. EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall--
(1) expand existing surveillance activities to include children at high
risk of early childhood caries, including sub-populations such as children
with developmental disabilities;
(2) assist State, local, and tribal health agencies and departments in
collecting, analyzing and disseminating data on early childhood caries;
and
(3) develop, implement, and evaluate programs that promote comprehensive
approaches and public education programs to prevent early childhood caries.
(b) Appropriateness of Activities- The Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall carry out programs and activities under subsection (a) in a culturally
competent manner with respect to populations at risk of early childhood
caries.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section, such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year
2008 and each subsequent fiscal year.
SEC. 404. SCHOOL-BASED DENTAL SEALANT PROGRAM.
Section 317M(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-14(c))
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting `and school-linked' after `school-based';
(2) in the first sentence of paragraph (2)--
(A) by inserting `and school-linked' after `school-based'; and
(B) by inserting `or Indian tribe' after `State'; and
(3) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
`(3) ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible to receive funds under paragraph (1),
an entity shall--
`(A) prepare and submit to the State or Indian tribe an application
at such time, in such manner and containing such information as the
State or Indian tribe may require; and
`(i) public elementary or secondary school--
`(I) that is located in an urban area in which more than 50 percent
of the student population is participating in Federal or State free
or reduced meal programs; or
`(II) that is located in a rural area and, with respect to the school
district in which the school is located, the district involved has
a median income that is at or below 235 percent of the poverty line,
as defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant
Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)); or
`(ii) public or non-profit organization, including a grantee under
section 330 and urban Indian clinics under title V of the Indian Health
Care Improvement Act, that is under contract with an elementary or
secondary school described in subparagraph (B) to provide dental services
to school-age children.'.
SEC. 405. BASIC ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through
the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation
with dental organizations (including organizations having expertise in the
prevention and treatment of oral disease in underserved pediatric populations),
shall award grants to States and Indian tribes to improve the basic capacity
of such States and tribes to improve the oral health of children and their
families.
(b) Requirements- A State or Indian tribe shall use amounts received under
a grant under this section to conduct one or more of the following activities:
(1) Establish an oral health plan, oral health policies, effective prevention
programs, and accountability measures and systems.
(2) Establish and guide coalitions, partnerships, and alliances to accomplish
the establishment of the plan, policies, programs, and systems under paragraph
(1).
(3) Monitor changes in oral disease burden, disparities, and the utilization
of preventive services by high-risk populations.
(4) Identify, test, establish, support, and evaluate prevention interventions
to reduce oral health disparities.
(5) Promote public awareness and education in support of improvements
of oral health.
(6) Support training programs for dental and other health professions
needed to strengthen oral health prevention programs.
(7) Establish, enhance, or expand oral disease prevention and disparity
reduction programs.
(8) Evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the State's oral disease
prevention and disparity reduction program.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section, $58,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums
as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year.
END
