About 60 million Americans live in “dental deserts” with little access to dental care. Those of us who live in a “dental oasis” often find dental care is expensive (OK, I made that last term up). Here I wrote about traveling 2,500 miles to Costa Rica for specialty dental care, but there are easier ways to access routine dental care. I could go to Minnesota and see a dental therapist, for example.
Dental therapists are a new member of the dental team in some states. They are a new colleague to dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants/dental technicians. According to a new study, dental therapists can perform roughly 80% of the services dentists can do at about half the cost. These include services like filling cavities, pulling baby teeth, taking x-rays, setting temporary crowns and teeth cleaning. The training for a dental therapist is a 3-year course after high school. Dental therapists generally must work under a licensed dentist.
The study looked at Minnesota, which passed legislation authorizing dental therapists in 2009. Dental therapists are recognized in more than a dozen states and several tribal nations. The study’s conclusion:
“[E]xpanding the dental workforce through authorization of dental therapists appeared to be associated with an increase in dental visits. In Minnesota, the policy was associated with improved access to dental care among low-income adults overall.”
The American Dental Association (ADA) is not a fan, however. When Health Day reached out to the ADA for a comment, the group claimed there is no evidence dental therapists improve access to care, lower tooth decay or save patients money. The professional advocacy group presumably doesn’t want additional competition. Perhaps the ADA doesn’t believe demand curves are downward sloping, the phenomenon when consumers buy more of a good or service when prices are lower than when prices are higher.
Advocates for dentists are opposed to expanding dental therapists to all 50 states, while consumer advocates are in favor. Rather than discuss the merits of each side’s arguments, why not let consumers decide who they want to patronize.
Summary: Can’t Afford the Dentist? Try a Dental Therapist | HealthDay
I would like the ability to book an appointment with a dental therapist, whose prices are half to two-thirds those of doctors of dental medicine. I used to patronize a dentist (now retired) who only required a checkup by him once a year ($35) in order to see his hygienist twice a year for teeth cleanings. My new dentist charges much more but his inspections are included. It would be nice to have patient-friendly options, rather than regulations that protect providers against competition.