Red Tape Hampers the Expansion of Chicago Dental Clinic

The TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence in Chicago—a state-of-the-art dental clinic designed to provide much-needed dental care to underserved populations—has idle operatories instead of patients due to legislative red tape. The problem is too few oral health professionals, namely dentists. The clinic, run by Aspen Dental, has recruited out-of-state dentists who are willing to donate their services but without an Illinois dental license, they are not allowed to practice dentistry in the state. Legislation is in the works to offer such providers temporary licenses, but it remains with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence is open to patients covered by Medicaid and those without health insurance who are earning 200% below the federal poverty level. Click here to read more.