2020 Supplement
Perspectives on the Midlevel Practitioner
2020 Supplement
At the start of this year, who would have guessed we’d see the rise of a global pandemic and its devastating effects on the American economy and the health of its people. Although dental practices were shuttered except for emergency care at the start of the pandemic, almost all are open now and seeing a rise in patient volumes. Dental hygiene programs are now open and back to educating their students, training the next generation of clinicians. Regardless of the pandemic, efforts to reach those who are most vulnerable continue on as does the expansion of dental therapy. We hope you find this year’s Perspectives on the Midlevel Practitioner inspiring as we chart the growth of dental therapy and, with it, progress in ensuring that all Americans have access to professional oral health care.
INTRODUCTION
DENTAL THERAPY MARCHES FORWARD
By Lorene G. Kent, RDH, BA
POINT OF VIEW
THE TIME FOR ORAL HEALTH EQUITY IS NOW
Dental therapists play an important role in efforts to address racial and ethnic oral health disparities.
By Frank Catalanotto, DMD
FOCUS ON DENTAL THERAPY
A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A DUAL-LICENSED ADVANCE DENTAL THERAPIST
Variety is the common denominator in the professional life of this clinician.
By Heather Luebben, ADT, LDH
EXPANDING DENTAL THERAPY EDUCATION PROGRAMS
As interest in dental therapy grows, developing and implementing appropriate education programs are key to success.
By Michael Holland; Aubri Kottek, MPH; Miranda Werts; and Elizabeth Mertz, PhD, MA
DENTAL THERAPISTS PROVIDE ESSENTIAL CARE DURING COVID-19
Washington State dental therapists practicing in tribal clinics implemented several effective strategies to support the oral health of the patients they serve.
By Miranda E. Davis, DDS, MPH
BROADENING THE PLAYING FIELD FOR DENTAL HYGIENISTS
SCOPE OF PRACTICE EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES FOR DENTAL HYGIENISTS
Current expansion possibilities can help grow the role of dental hygienists in dental practice and communities across the United States.
By Tatiyana Trowbridge, DDS
FROM THE AMERICAN DENTAL HYGIENISTS’ ASSOCIATION
UPDATE ON DENTAL THERAPY IN THE UNITED STATES
The expansion of dental therapy continues across the nation as a solution to increasing access to care for underserved populations.
By Ann Lynch
