What Are Dental Therapists?

 

Dental therapists are licensed dental professionals who provide preventive and routine care, like exams, cleanings, fillings, and oral health education, in communities. Working as part of a dentist-led team, they complement the roles of dental hygienists and dental assistants to help ensure that more people get the care they need, when and where they need it.

Proven Global Model

 

Dental therapy is a globally proven model, dating back over a century and used successfully in over 50 countries. In the U.S., dental therapists have been providing safe, high-quality care for 20 years. They were first introduced 20 years ago by Alaska Native leaders who were determined to expand access to care and build a local oral health workforce that reflected their communities’ needs. They are now authorized to practice in 14 states and counting.

Dental therapists are specially trained to serve areas with chronic shortages of dental providers, such as rural communities, Tribal lands, and low-income neighborhoods. They often provide care in non-traditional settings—like schools, nursing homes, and community centers—bringing essential services directly to people who might otherwise go without.

Because the training for dental therapists is shorter (a minimum of three academic years) and less expensive than that of dentists, dental therapists are highly cost-effective providers for clinics to employ. Dental therapists can address simpler oral health care needs–like exams, fillings, and non-surgical extractions–while dentists can do more complex procedures.

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Community Voices

I would like my provider to look like me so that they could know what I’m talking about and can relate.

Resident of South Central Los Angeles

I had to go to Tijuana to go to the dentist to be able to afford care.

Resident of South Central Los Angeles

You should be able to walk into a dentist’s office and feel human.

Resident of South Central Los Angeles

Dental care should be accessible to all people, regardless of race.

Resident of Woodlake, California