Minnesota Extends Oral Healthcare Delivery to Impact Population Health

Collaborative leadership and stakeholder engagement have created the concept of dental therapist intraprofessional dental team members who are expanding and extending the reach of oral health care to help meet the public need in Minnesota.

Background and purpose: Partially owing to inadequate access to affordable oral health care, health disparities exist within Minnesota's population with significant numbers of residents lacking access to basic oral health care. Policymakers, advocacy organizations, and dental professionals recommended action to address these issues. In 2009, Minnesota became the first state government in the United States to license 2 levels of practitioners, the dental therapist and the advanced dental therapist to primarily treat underserved patients. The purpose of this article is to explain the evolution of the dental therapist and guide other constituencies toward innovative dental hygiene-based workforce models.

Methods: The evolution and educational preparation of the dental therapist and advanced dental therapist are explained in the context of a unique working relationship between educators, legislators, educational institutions, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Pivotal societal, public health, and legislative issues are described from the initial stages in 2005 until 2014 when early data are emerging regarding the impact of dental therapists.

Conclusions: Dental therapist oral health care providers are working in a variety of settings in Minnesota including community clinics, hospitals, and private practices. As of early February 2014, there were 32 licensed dental therapists, and 6 of whom also held certifications as advanced dental therapists. Initial public health impacts are positive; research regarding the benefits to the public is in its infancy. Further evaluation of outcomes will ascertain the viability of this new professional.