Resources
Why Oral Health Matters
Dental disease hurts more than our teeth. It’s tied to our overall health. Tooth decay can risk our physical, mental and economic wellbeing. It also strains state budgets.
Roles and Functions of the Oral Health Team
While the oral health workforce may look different in each state, here are some of the experts that are part of the care delivery team.
Model Dental Therapist Rule
This guide for state policymakers and partners focuses on the technical and administrative aspects of launching and managing state licensing and regulation of dental therapists.
Contributions of Dental Therapists and Advanced Dental Therapists in Minnesota
A ten-year study by the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University at Albany School of Public Health shows how dental therapists and advanced dental therapists helped patients, providers, and clinics in Minnesota.
Dental Therapy Community Engagement Guidelines for Advocates and Funders
These guidelines for advocates and funders accompany Community Catalyst’s Dental Therapy Advocacy: Community Engagement Guide.
Dental Therapy Advocacy: Community Engagement Guide
Working with communities (not for them) is crucial for advancing dental therapy as an informed, community-centered oral health policy and program. This guide from Community Catalyst discusses the benefits of community engagement, the policy provisions that may require specific attentiveness, and guidelines and suggestions for incorporating community engagement into dental therapy advocacy and campaign work.
National Dental Therapy Standards Consortium Opening Message
An introduction to the National Model Practice Act and accompanying report from Dr. Caswell Evans
National Dental Therapy Standards Consortium
National Model Practice Act and accompanying report provides states and tribal governments the information needed to create standards and systems for the dental therapy profession that are built on the evidence and experience of existing programs.
Dental Utilization for Communities Served by Dental Therapists
The first long-term study of dental therapist utilization from the University of Washington found that greater access to dental therapists’ services resulted in more use of preventive dental services and fewer extractions among adults and children.
Dental Veterans Home Case Study
Apple Tree Dental (Minnesota) profiles dental therapists providing on-site care to residents of a long-term care facility for veterans. The study showed practitioners provided safe and cost-effective care.
RTI International Research Evaluation
Program evaluations repeatedly showed that dental therapy improves access to care and prevention services for historically underserved populations, and patients are highly satisfied with their care.
A Review of the Global Literature on Dental Therapists
Authored by Dr. David Nash this offers comprehensive review of history coving issues of education, scope or practice and the safety record of the provider.
Training New Dental Health Providers in the U.S.
Authored by Dr. Burton Edelstein this offers a primer on some of the core areas discussed when building this new profession including roles, scope of practice, education and some policy considerations.
A Sample Dental Therapy Curriculum for Community Colleges
A report highlighting the role community colleges can play in educating dental therapists modeled on the standards developed by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC).
Economic Viability of Dental Therapists
An early report indicating dental therapists are a cost-effective way to provide routine and preventative care to underserved populations not served by the traditional dental system.