On Beacon Hill “teeth” are often invoked as a metaphor for regulatory power, but this session the actual molars, incisors and gums of people lacking access to dental care will return to the legislative agenda, as rival approaches appear destined to come to a head. A dental group that has disagreed with health care advocates over the proposed creation of a new midlevel dentistry occupation has now embraced the advocates’ general approach to expanding dental access, though differences remain.