(a) In order for a collaborative dental hygienist to provide services to persons under this subchapter, the consulting dentist with whom the collaborative dental hygienist has entered a collaborative agreement must have received permission from the Department of Health for the collaborative dental hygienist to serve patients at public settings designated by the department on a date or dates designated by the department.
(b) The department shall develop a system of prioritization of services permitted under this subchapter to communities in the state, including rural areas, based on the relative population of people at need for services permitted under this subchapter and endeavor to direct services permitted under this subchapter to such communities, including rural areas.