Dental Therapy Gains Momentum as a Solution to Expanding Oral Healthcare
Legislators across the country are embracing dental therapy as a practical way to expand access to care, especially in underserved communities. With bipartisan support growing, multiple states are advancing legislation to authorize dental therapists, signaling a shift toward innovative workforce solutions in dentistry.
Dental therapy continues to gain traction as a bipartisan solution to improving oral health access across the United States. Recently, the American Legislative Exchange Council adopted model legislation supporting dental therapists, reinforcing the growing consensus that this mid-level practitioner role is a cost-effective way to address workforce shortages and improve patient care.
States such as Florida, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts have introduced legislation to authorize dental therapists, recognizing their potential to provide essential services in rural and underserved areas. Meanwhile, Washington state is finalizing rulemaking to expand dental therapy beyond tribal clinics, and New York is considering recommendations to integrate these providers into its oral health workforce.
In a significant step forward, the Indian Health Service has also announced that dental therapy students will be eligible for scholarships starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, further strengthening pathways into the profession. As states continue to explore ways to bridge the gap in dental care access, dental therapy stands out as a practical and widely supported workforce solution. Click here to read more. Click here to read more.
