In a move to address oral health disparities, more states are authorizing dental therapists to provide basic dental care in underserved communities. These mid-level practitioners can perform procedures like filling cavities and extracting diseased teeth under a dentist’s supervision. With about 58 million Americans living in areas with dentist shortages and only a third of dentists accepting Medicaid, dental therapists are seen as a potential solution to improve access to care.
The impact is particularly significant for minority and low-income populations. More than half of Medicaid enrollees are Black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native, and children of color experience significant disparities in oral health. Poor oral health is associated with serious conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Dental therapists often come from the communities they serve, providing culturally sensitive care. In Alaska, an estimated 40,000 rural residents now have regular access to dental care thanks to these practitioners. However, the expansion of dental therapy faces challenges, with some states stalling authorization efforts and critics arguing for increased support for dentists instead.
Proponents argue that dental therapists can be part of a team to expand access to care, similar to physician assistants or nurses in medical settings. A federal advisory committee has recommended $6 million annually for dental therapy programs nationwide, highlighting the growing recognition of their potential to address health disparities in oral care.
See “Dental therapists, who can fill cavities and check teeth, get the OK in more states” (July 23, 2024)
