Dental Therapists in the United States: Health Equity, Advancing

Authors: Elizabeth Mertz, PhD | Aubri Kottek, MPH | Miranda Werts | Margaret Langelier, MSHSA | Simona Surdu, MD, PhD | Jean Moore DrPH, MSN, FAAN

Topics: Emerging Models and Innovations, Oral Health

Research Center: Oral Health Workforce Research Center

October 1, 2021

Dental therapists (DTs) are primary care dental providers, used globally, and were introduced in the United States (US) in 2005. DTs have now been adopted in 13 states and several Tribal nations. This article qualitatively examines the drivers and outcomes of the US dental therapy movement through a health equity lens, including community engagement, implementation and dissemination, and access to oral health care.

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