The American Dental Hygienists' Association is working to ensure educational programs are adequately preparing dental hygienists for the new health care landscape.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation's decision to implement accreditation standards for dental therapy education cements the role of expanded workforce models in solving the access-to-care problem.
In response to the burgeoning access-to-care crisis, many states are considering the addition of a new member to the oral health care team—the midlevel practitioner.
By embracing change and incorporating humanism into the oral health care delivery system, dental professionals have the power to positively impact the future of dentistry.