Innovative and controversial, dental therapy has the potential to provide greater access to oral health care for populations that have been traditionally underserved. While these mid-level providers are only permitted to practice in specific or all settings in 13 states, additional states are likely to follow. This new type of provider could result in significant changes to the delivery of oral health care in this country. Understanding those changes will be important for oral health leaders who are training the next generation of providers.
Learning Objectives:
Describe recent changes and proposed changes to state policies for dental therapists.
Analyze the changes licensing dental therapists could make to the delivery of oral health in the United States.
Assess the status of dental therapy education programs.
