The Senate Majority Policy Committee will hold a hearing on April 13 to discuss dental workforce shortages and their effects on health at Benco Dental in Jenkins Township, Pennsylvania. The event will be chaired by Senator David G. Argall, who represents the 29th District in the Pennsylvania Senate according to the official website.
The hearing aims to address concerns about access to dental care and how workforce challenges may impact communities across the state. Stakeholders from various sectors of dentistry—including private practice, insurance, education, and statewide coalitions—are scheduled to provide testimony throughout the afternoon.
Speakers include Charles Cohen of Benco Dental Company; Roosevelt Allen of United Concordia Dental; Michael C. Verber of Verber Dental Group; Dr. Shawn Casey of Casey Dental; Joseph H. Hollander from The Clinics at Scranton Primary Health Care Center; Dr. Linda Straub-Bruce and Helen Hawkey from PA Coalition for Oral Health; Dr. James Mancini and Dr. Darleen Oleski from the Pennsylvania Dental Association; Ann Hoffman from Central Penn College; Dr. Seth Walbridge from PA Academy of General Dentistry; and Dale F. Spadafora representing PA Academy of General Dentistry.
Argall has previously provided constituent services through offices in several locations across Pennsylvania, assisting with state-agency issues and community initiatives according to the official website (https://www.senatorargall.com/). He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international studies from Lycoming College as well as a doctorate in public administration from Pennsylvania State University according to the same source (https://www.senatorargall.com/).
As noted on his official website, Argall has emphasized support for working-class communities through legislation aimed at revitalizing older industrial neighborhoods (https://www.senatorargall.com/). He also chairs the Senate Majority Policy Committee overseeing legislative hearings on issues such as education funding (https://www.senatorargall.com/). Argall traces his roots back to families with backgrounds as Cornish, Welsh, and German farmers, coal miners, and factory workers according to information available online (https://www.senatorargall.com/).
The committee’s focus on dental workforce shortages is part of ongoing efforts by state lawmakers to understand barriers affecting health care delivery across Pennsylvania.
