Tooth Decay is the leading chronic disease in children — more common than asthma.
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Content DrawerDental disease is the number one chronic illness among children in America. Poor children and children of color are disproportionately affected.
In Gallup, New Mexico, a 15-year-old Native American boy fell into a permanent coma after a preventable dental emergency went wrong.
In Washington state, an 8-year-old girl suffered in pain from an abscessed tooth for three weeks while her mother searched for a dentist to accept her Medicaid insurance and pull the little girl’s tooth.
In Maryland, a young boy with a bright smile died from an infection caused by untreated tooth decay. These stories are not uncommon.
Oral health is critical to overall health, yet many of America’s children cannot get access to dental care where and when they need it.
Dental therapists increase access to oral health care for those who need it most.
Download the Stories of Inadequate Care Fact Sheet
Each year, more than 16.5 million children don’t receive dental care.
That’s more than the populations of New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago combined.
Access to routine dental care should be a right, not a privilege.
We need more dental professionals, especially those who reflect the communities they serve.
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Content DrawerInnovative models born out of community-led change help champion national movement and create stronger outcomes for children and families.
Naomi Petrie spent the past two years in Anchorage and Bethel, Alaska, away from her friends and family of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians in southwest Oregon. But with her tribal community’s love, support and sponsorship, she recently graduated from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium’s two-year educational program to become the first dental therapist sponsored by a tribe in the lower 48 states to graduate from the Alaska Dental Therapy Educational Program and return home. “What she is going to be able to do for the citizens in our village and the community is enormous,” said David Petrie, her proud father. For her part, Naomi is ready to give back to the people who believed in her. “I’m hoping to be a leader and a role model for the youth in our tribe,” she said.
Ben Steward, a citizen of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua in Southern Oregon has joined the Native American Rehabilitation Association dental team to be the first DHAT in the country working in an urban location.
This year, ten students from the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board’s (NPAIHB) 43 federally-recognized tribes are studying in Alaska, and are eager, like Naomi and Ben, to serve their people. Additionally, tribes in Washington are collaborating with a local community college and NPAIHB to build a DHAT training program in Washington so students can study closer to home.
Tribal leaders explored a number of different ideas before adapting the dental therapy model for their communities. Oral health was the primary impetus at first. American Indian and Alaska Native children suffer from tooth decay at rates more than three times higher than the national average. In addition to providing much needed dental care, this model is especially attractive for communities looking to increase jobs and career pathways while growing the local economy. Today, more than 45,000 Alaska Natives now receive regular dental care where they live. Tomorrow, more people in communities across the Northwest will have stronger health outcomes as Naomi, Ben and their peers offer more regular dental care where they live across the NPAIHB region.
The dental workforce also needs to expand, adding – dental therapists – to the dental team.
Dentist
Hygienist
Dental Therapist
Dental Assistant
That way, all children and families can get high-quality, affordable dental care where they live.
Community Clinics
Mobile Dental Clinics
School-based Health Clinics
Tribal Clinics
Today, dental therapists are practicing in Alaska, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington.
Dental Therapy Across the U.S.
Dental therapists are authorized to practice in state and Tribal communities
Where dental therapy has been considered
Education programs, established and working toward establishment
Additionally, more than 50 countries allow dental therapists to provide routine preventive and restorative care.
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Content DrawerAn extensive review of literature documents how clinical outcomes from the care provided by dental therapists worldwide indicates that dental therapists offer safe, effective dental care to children. Download the literature review at wkkf.org.
Dental therapists provide safe, competent and appropriate care including cleanings, fillings and simple extractions under the general supervision of a dentist.
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Content DrawerDental Utilization for Communities Served by Dental Therapists in Alaska’s Yukon Kuskokwim Delta: Findings from an Observational Quantitative Study found increased Dental Therapist treatment days was significantly associated with:
More children and adults who received preventive care- Fewer children under age 3 with extractions of the front four teeth
- Fewer adults ages 18 and older with permanent tooth extractions
Download the entire report.
They provide safe and high-quality care, within a limited scope of dental services, freeing the dentist to do more advanced procedures for their patients, extending the reach of the dentist-led team.
Greater Access to Care
Dental therapists make it possible for millions more people to receive dental care.
That reduces pain, lost work and school days and life-threatening infections for many adults and children.
As more people receive dental care, health improves.
Recent studies show that children and adults had lower rates of tooth extractions and more preventive care in Alaska Native communities served frequently by dental therapists than residents in communities not receiving any services from dental therapists.
Cost Savings
Dental therapists have made it possible for clinics to decrease travel time and wait times for some patients, increasing access to dental care.
Savings from the lower costs of dental therapists are making it possible for clinics to expand capacity to see public program and underserved patients.
