§ 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.