Dental therapy in the United States: Are developments at the state level a reason for optimism or a cause for concern?

Access to dental care continues to be a challenge for millions of vulnerable Americans. In more than 50 nations worldwide, dental therapists (DTs), mid-level providers who deliver a limited scope of dental care under the supervision of a dentist, have helped increase access to needed care. Since 2003, when the Alaska Native Tribal Health System introduced DTs as part of the Federally authorized Alaska Community Health Aide Program, a total of 13 states have adopted the role. However, as of April 2020, there are fewer than 150 DTs in practice throughout the country, and educational and licensing requirements as well as scope of practice vary between each state. Such heterogeneity makes the training and recruitment of future DTs a challenge. This article summarizes the current state of the DT workforce in the United States and discusses the possible future of the profession as other states contemplate adopting the model in the face of ongoing oral health disparities.