On this page, you will find a compilation of achievements from the 2025 Legislative Session. Directly below, we invite you to click on a link that will bring you to a full list of bills that have been brought forth in the 2026 Legislative Session. As always, we encourage you to be part of this incredible work on behalf of dentistry in Connecticut and across the nation.
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Request to Expand Mandatory Continuing Education Requirements to Include Training on Human Trafficking Awareness and Response
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Use these highlighted links below to submit written testimony or in-person/Zoom testimony regarding the HB 5399 linked above.
Please forward this directly to peers – we need a huge grassroots push on this!
Find your legislators (https://www.cga.ct.gov/webapps/cgafyl.asp); call or email them. Sample letter (below) but you are highly encouraged to use your own, personalized message. I am happy to proofread anything if you want feedback. You can amend your written statement after the hearing, if you want to clarify something or debunk something said on the record by any witness.
Talking points:
- your peers in 37 other states can already do these injections,
- you currently do the exact same injections – often same site, same pharmaceuticals – for pain management,
- and that non-doctors (APRNs, PAs, RNs) are already doing this in CT.
These are safe procedures, which often complete your treatment plan.
Those seeking cosmetic facial injections should be able to choose their trusted healthcare provider, including their dentist, to do these procedures.
Sample Letter
Dear Representative/Senator [Last Name]
My name is Dr. [First/Last]. I live and practice in [town/city], and I am a constituent, as are hundreds of my patients and many of my staff. I am writing as a practicing dentist ((and small-business owner)) to ask for your support of HB 5399, legislation which would allow me to provide cosmetic injections.
Why this matters locally:
• Every week my practice cares for [#] patients from [town or region], many of whom I have been their oral healthcare provider for years, developing a deep trust between us.
• Under the current system, if my patient needs a cosmetic injection to fulfill a treatment plan, or simply wants to pause their age progression with a filler, I cannot do this procedure while many other practitioners, include APRNs, PAs and RNs, can. I have advanced training specifically on the facial structure and, in fact, do many Botox injections weekly for oral pain. I cannot, however, use the same skills and materials to use Botox for cosmetic purposes. This is an unfair and archaic limitation on my scope of practice.
• Your support of the legislative effort of my dental association – The Connecticut State Dental Association -- will allow me to provide these cosmetic procedures and I ask that you support this effort.
I would appreciate the opportunity to meet briefly (in person or by Zoom) with you or your staff to explain how this legislation would impact patients and to answer any questions. I’m available [give 2–3 windows of dates/times over the next 2–3 weeks], or I’m happy to work around your schedule.
If it’s helpful, I can bring: a one-page summary of practice-level data, a short patient (anonymized) story that illustrates the issue, and a few local dentists who would like to speak with you.
Thank you for representing our district. Please let me know a convenient time to meet, or if your staff prefers, contact me at [phone] or [email]. I look forward to helping you understand how this issue affects patients across your district.
Respectfully,
Dr. [Full name]
Practice name, city
Phone: [###-###-####]
Email: [your email]
Address (optional): [street, city, ZIP — helpful for staff to confirm constituent status]
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Veterans Dental Care Access Program Bill 5413:
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S.B. No. 1299 – An Act Concerning Medicaid-Covered Dental Care
CSDA Testimony Below:
The 2026 Legislative Session is underway. See below for our achievements. As we prepare for the next session, please make it a point to get involved. CODPAC represents the "Tooth Party" and supports legislators, regardless of political party, who represent dentists and the issues affecting them. They make it possible for us to advocate for members like you!
Get Involved!
Our Victories:
Dental Anesthesia Statutes (House Bill 5290)
Public Act No. 24-68 revises the dental anesthesia statutes, eliminating permit requirements for minimal sedation while requiring permits for moderate sedation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia. Permits necessitate an on-site evaluation, adherence to ADA guidelines, and a $200 fee, with annual renewals based on evaluations and fee payment.
The Act mandates specific equipment, personnel, and emergency medications for facilities, as specified by the commissioner in consultation with the Anesthesia Committee of the Connecticut Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. The commissioner will establish and enforce regulations, with the authority to deny or revoke permits based on disciplinary actions, enhancing safety and compliance.
Public Health Committee Public Hearing Anesthesia Testimonies 3/1/24
Dr. William MacDonnell
Dr. John Hillgen
Dr. Michael Safian, CSDA Immediate Past President
Dr. David Barton
CONNIE (Health Information Exchange – Senate Bill 1)
Public Act No. 24-19 enhances liability protections for healthcare providers in case of HIE data breaches, provided they comply with privacy laws. It sets deadlines for hospitals and clinical labs to adopt EHR systems compatible with the HIE within one year, and other healthcare providers within two years, ensuring these systems meet strict privacy and security standards. The Act mandates the Office of Health Strategy to establish secure data exchange policies, including regular audits. The CSDA is collaborating with the CONNIE coalition to address potential cost impacts on dental practices due to these requirements.
Department of Developmental Service Bill Ensuring Access to Special Needs Patients (House Bill 5293)
The bill authorizes the Oral Health and Dental Services Unit to offer dental care to individuals with intellectual disabilities at specified dental offices within any DDS service region. These services must be tailored to meet individual needs and provided by qualified dentists or dental hygienists. The DDS commissioner is permitted to contract with licensed dentists or those with provisional licenses to fulfill these responsibilities.
2024 Session Testimonies
Medical Loss Ratio
As little as 40% of dental patient insurance premiums go to dental care. As much as 60% goes to insurance company overhead - such as administration, marketing, and company profits. That's really out of whack!
Connecticut residents deserve better.
Insurance and Real Estate Public Hearing MLR Testimonies 3/14/24
Dr. Michael Safian, CSDA Immediate Past President
Dr. Marykate Conboy
Dr. David Fried
Chad Olson, ADA Director of State Government Affairs
Joint Contract Negotiations
Imagine a world where you could talk to your local or state dentists about contract negotiations, without incurring antitrust violations. Imagine telling an insurance company that you will take a cost-of-living allowance every year rather than a 30% decrease. Imagine you could tell an insurance company that they must answer the phone and talk to you without a 3 hour on-hold time. That is what this is about.
Other 2024 Testimonies
Human Services Committee Public Hearing
CSDA Executive Director Kathlene Gerrity testified on Medicaid on March 12, 2024. View testimony.
Public Health Committee Public Hearing
Dr. David Fried testified in support of H.B. 5293: ACC DDS proposed revisions regarding various public health statutes. In agreement with the Bill as it is written, trusting the DPH, the Dental Board and DSS have fully vetted the individuals through proper credentials and protecting the public to ensure qualified care. View testimony.
