Expanding Where Dental Therapists Can Practice Could Increase Americans’ Access To Cost-Efficient Care

Abstract

Since 1923, more than fifty countries have improved access to dental care by allowing midlevel providers-frequently called dental therapists-to offer preventive and restorative treatment, primarily in the public sector. A growing body of research has found that dental therapists provide high-quality, cost-effective care and improve access to care for underserved populations. This article explores the evolution of the dental therapy movement in the United States, where multiple barriers to oral health care have created persistent unmet needs. We examine developments since the 1940s that have led to the authorization of dental therapists in parts of Alaska and the states of Minnesota, Maine, and Vermont; and the approval of national accreditation standards for dental therapy training programs by dental educators. We also show how dental therapists might fit within a health care system that is being transformed.

A dental workforce strategy to make Australian public dental services more efficient

“…Positive associations were identified for increasing productivity among dental practices that employ DH in the US private sector [33, 34]. More recently, there is a growing demand for training DT in the United States of America to meet unmet community needs for children, low-income families and rural communities [19, 35–37].…”

Association between type of health insurance and children's oral health, NHANES 2011–2014

“…Future efforts to improve children's oral health and reduce disparities may consider focusing on increasing access to timely restorative treatment to all children regardless of insurance status. Expanded use of dental therapists, a midlevel provider trained to provide preventive dental services and some restorative care under dentists’ supervision, is another potential strategy to efficiently make care more accessible due to their lower salaries and common directive to serve vulnerable populations . Dental therapists are widespread throughout the world, but currently only authorized to practice in four states and several American Indian tribes.…”

Pediatric Workforce Issues

“…33 Since then, advocates of this role have successfully changed policy to allow dental therapists to practice in Minnesota, Maine, and Vermont, whereas Washington and Oregon have tribal access authorized and statewide use under consideration and 9 more states are actively investigating their use. 34,35 Dental therapist have the ability to do restorative and other dental procedures normally restricted to dentists. Each state has defined the role slightly differently, and states that recognize dental therapist seem to be leaning toward a combined hygiene-therapy model.…”