The Expanding Dental Workforce: The Impact of Nondental Providers.

This article describes the evolution of nondental health providers engaging in oral health and the influences that have played a role. This discussion is followed by a review of why oral health is a natural fit for medical care, an examination of the current trends and successes in oral health education and practice in the health professions, and the need for a comprehensive approach. The article concludes by reviewing the impact these efforts are having and defining roles for each profession in the future with thoughts about what will be required to obtain these goals.