Dental Therapy
Dental Therapy
Dental therapists are highly trained oral health practitioners that work with dental teams, similar to the way a Physicians’ assistant works with a medical team. Through off-site supervision by a dentist, dental therapists can increase access to care by delivering services in settings that better meet the needs of communities that are underserved – such as in remote clinics, schools and senior residential care facilities.
Along with providing education and preventative services, dental therapists are able to perform common dental procedures such as filling cavities, and in limited cases, removing teeth.
Where will dental therapists receive education in Wisconsin?
- Certification in Local Anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide administration as granted by the State of Wisconsin DSPS
- CPR/AED current certification
- Graduate of an accredited Dental Hygiene program through the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)
- Licensed as a Dental Hygienist by the Wisconsin State Board of Dental Examiners
Resources
Expand your understanding of what dental therapists are, and how they can help oral health access in Wisconsin.
American Dental Hygienists’ Association – Dental Therapy
Information regarding dental therapy is available on the American Dental Hygienists’ Association page under Innovative Workforce Models.
American Dental Therapy Association
The American Dental Therapy Association’s mission is to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality oral health care. They educate the public about the value of dental therapists, create educational and career advancement opportunities for dental therapists and support educational institutions in developing superior dental therapy programs.
Community Catalyst – Dental Access Project
Community Catalyst created the Dental Access Project to address inequitable access and other barriers to care. As part of this effort, their collective work advocates for the expansion of dental health teams to include a mid-level dental providers (dental therapists).
Minnesota Dental Therapy Association
The Minnesota Dental Therapy Association is nationally recognized for their work in promoting and growing the dental therapy profession so that everyone, everywhere can have access to quality oral health care.
National Partnership for Dental Therapy
The Partnership is co-chaired by Community Catalyst, the National Indian Health Board, the National Coalition of Dentists for Health Equity and the American Dental Therapy Association. The Partnership’s goal is to elevate the visibility and broad, multi-sectorial support for dental therapy as an evidence-based way to improve access to oral health.
- Research: An enormous body of evidence exists demonstrating that dental therapists deliver high-quality, cost-effective care as well as improved access to care. This page contains some key research.
What is a Dental Therapist?
For more than 125 million Americans, basic dental care is out of reach. But there’s a solution that can help – dental therapy. This video highlights the role of dental therapists and how they can contribute to improved dental access and outcomes.
Contact Our Staff
Jenna Linden, BSDH, RDH, CDHC
Program Leader
(414) 337-4564
jlinden@childrenswi.org
Lindsay Deinhammer, RN, BSN
Program Manager
(414) 337-4563
ldeinhammer@childrenswi.org
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