Two new oral health roles are making headlines, but they are not the same. A legal nurse consultant breaks down why these two oral health professionals differ sharply in education, oversight, and impact on access to care.

A Sterling, Virginia-based dentist Tarek Badawy, DDS, FAGD, FICOI, recently posted a YouTube video suggesting a three-prong approach — supported by the Virginia Dental Association (VDA) — to address Virginia’s dental hygienist shortage. It…

EWU is moving forward with plans to launch a master’s-level dental therapy program, expanding the state’s oral health workforce and addressing persistent access gaps in rural communities. If accredited, the program would place EWU among a…

Ferris State University is developing Michigan’s first dental therapy education program to expand access to care in underserved communities. The move follows the state’s licensing of its first dental therapist, now practicing in the Upper…

A recent Iowa Dental Board action against a Dubuque dentist highlights how lapses in infection control can lead to financial penalties, probation, and long-term monitoring. The case underscores why designating an infection control…

Michigan has licensed its first dental therapist, marking a significant milestone in the state’s evolving oral health workforce. Dana Obey, DT, brings CODA-accredited training and a strong commitment to underserved communities to her new…

The American Dental Association has released its first major update to dental radiography recommendations in more than a decade, offering clearer guidance on when and when not to take dental X-rays. The new recommendations emphasize…

A national competition focused on oral health innovation, will take place during the 2026 Chicago Midwinter Meeting. The event will feature live presentations from innovators seeking feedback, visibility, and advancement to a national…

Two large-scale studies from Japan are delivering a blunt message: oral health in older adults is closely tied to how long and how well they live. The data suggest that what happens in the mouth may predict mortality and long-term care…

A new KFF study confirms what dental teams hear every day: cost remains a major barrier to care, even for insured patients. From postponed appointments to mounting dental debt, financial stress is shaping how and when patients engage with…