The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Dave Argall, R-29, will visit Tamaqua on Wednesday to review the growing shortage of dentists and their staff assistants in rural Pennsylvania.

The public hearing will begin at 1 p.m. at the Lehigh Carbon Community College Morgan Center, 234 High St., Tamaqua.

“At least 50% of the state is underserved when it comes to dental care. A lack of dental care affects more than just your teeth — it contributes to heart disease and increased rates of opioid abuse,” Argall said. “Attracting dentists and their staff to practice in rural areas is one of the biggest challenges in fixing this problem. We’re now working on a potential solution — creating Pennsylvania’s first ever rural dental school in Tamaqua.”

Panelists will include local health care officials, statewide dental associations, and community college and university officials. The hearing will be livestreamed on the Senate Majority Policy Committee’s website at https://policy.pasenategop.com/category/meeting_hearing/