In many rural communities, people are going without reliable access to dental care. Financial barriers and Medicare gaps are stopping potential patients from receiving the care they need and stopping practice owners from investing in these communities. Some states are looking to reintroduce a century-old professional to fill those gaps. This week, Dentistry 411 will walk you through the trend, the debate surrounding it, and how to decide if dental therapists are a good fit for your office.
What is Dental Therapy?
Despite what the name suggests, it’s not getting a dental cleaning whenever you’re feeling blue. Although freshly cleaned teeth always make us feel better.
Dental therapists are educated and trained in oral health. They attend accredited school alongside dentists and leave with degrees certifying their education. Like any other healthcare provider, their skills are tested throughout years of academic learning and clinical experience. Their education is geared towards supporting dentists and other members of a dental team. You can think of the relationship between dental therapists and dentists like that of doctors and physician assistants.
It’s a mid-level career existing between dental hygienists and dentists. Unlike hygienists, who are mainly focused on preventive care, they are authorized to perform restorative treatment. They can do fillings, crown replacements, or even extract baby teeth. However, there are limits to the care they provide. For example, they can’t perform complex procedures that could impact a tooth’s nerve.
The Debate
Therapists can work under varying degrees of supervision, depending on state restrictions. As more states look to incorporate the profession, hot debate grows over how much guidance should be required. Several major actors in dentistry have raised concerns about the effects of embracing dental therapy. Some professionals in the specialty worry that the training dental therapists receive does not justify the operations they can perform. Others worry about the disruption it could cause to already rapidly evolving fields. However, studies show the presence of dental therapists promotes access to dental care, contributing to declining dental disease and costs.
Many practices are looking to dental therapy as an asset during the dentist shortage. The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration found a shortage of 10,877 dentists. As we tackle this issue, it’s important to compare the quality of care to the quantity of professionals, to keep patients safe and healthy.
Some argue that adding therapists to the staff could open dentists’ availability. They could take over appointments that play to their strengths, leaving specialty care to dentists. By offering a new method of care, practices could help reduce stress in the office and shorten the time between appointments for patients.
Dental Disparities
The practice is already authorized by law in 14 states, with several more working towards that goal. Some laws are region specific, limiting the therapists to dental deserts, areas where patients might have to travel hours just to get a cleaning. Many of these places include tribal, low-income, or vulnerable communities.
It’s always important to find ways to connect with your patients, but especially to secure a strong relationship. Dental therapists are poised in a position to do just that. They are often from the community they serve and can relate to patients’ experiences, creating a foundation of trust. Over time, this can evolve into comprehensive dental knowledge and encourage preventive care alongside restorative treatment. As we know, proactive action saves patients’ money while protecting their health.
Expanding Your Team
If you’re interested in adding a dental therapist to your practice, there are a few things you can do. First, find out what step in the authorization process your state is at. Then you can start conversations with your team about the change. Come prepared with literature to back up your claims and ease and worry they might have about the level of care patients might receive. Although this change is recent in the United States, it’s been used for over a century in other parts of the world. Look at global research as case studies for what to expect as the profession grows more popular.
In the early stages of integration, you might want to implement practice policies so everyone is on the same page about what procedures can or can’t be done at their level. This can also give your patients time to adjust and become familiar with any new members of your team.
Remember, our goal at the end of the day is to provide the best care possible. Dental therapists offer a solution to an issue that’s been plaguing the industry. It’s an opportunity to lighten the load of dentists while widening the reach of your practice.
