Access to dental care in Florida remains a significant challenge, particularly in underserved areas. While dental therapists may not provide a quick fix to the state’s oral health issues, they are undeniably a crucial part of the solution. The growing need for dental workforce reform is both clear and urgent.
Currently, 65 of Florida’s 67 counties are designated as dental health professional shortage areas, meaning that a majority of the state’s residents struggle to access adequate dental care. Approximately 7.1 million Floridians—about one-third of the population—live in areas where dental services are limited, a problem that has worsened over the past five years.
Rural communities, especially those with lower-income populations, are particularly impacted by these shortages, facing barriers to essential dental services. One possible solution to this widespread problem is the authorization of dental therapists, who could provide vital services across the state.
Dental therapists have been working globally for over 100 years, with more than 50 countries incorporating them into their health systems, both in public and private settings. The United States has seen the introduction of dental therapists over the last two decades, with 15 states currently allowing them to practice. Research consistently demonstrates that dental therapists enhance access to safe, high-quality care.
In Florida, dental therapists would work under the supervision of licensed dentists to provide basic dental treatments that are currently in short supply, such as exams, fillings, and simple extractions. These professionals complete the same educational programs and licensing exams as dentists for the procedures they perform, ensuring high standards of care.
The need for reform is underscored by countless studies and real-life stories that highlight the far-reaching effects of poor oral health on overall well-being. For example, untreated dental issues can contribute to cardiovascular disease, respiratory infections, diabetes, and complications during childbirth, among other health concerns. Poor oral health also impacts workforce productivity, education, and exacerbates economic disparities.
Allowing dental therapists to practice in Florida could significantly alleviate these challenges. Expanding the range of providers available would ensure more equitable access to care, especially in rural and lower-income communities. Furthermore, such a reform would empower the state’s dental workforce, enabling dentists to focus on more complex cases while dental therapists handle basic care.
Despite the positive outcomes associated with dental therapy, opposition from organized dentistry—particularly the American Dental Association (ADA)—remains a barrier. The ADA continues to lobby against the expansion of dental therapy, citing concerns about competition. However, the evidence does not support these concerns, and studies have shown that dental therapists can deliver safe and effective care.
Much like other areas of healthcare where scope of practice has expanded—such as the role of physician assistants—authorizing dental therapists would increase the number of qualified providers, improve the effectiveness of existing dentists, and foster the development of a new generation of skilled healthcare workers.
For patients, especially those in poorer and rural areas, dental therapy would offer much-needed access to care, enabling them to address dental issues early before they escalate into more serious health problems. By embracing this model, Florida could become a leader in innovative, market-driven healthcare policies, providing a blueprint for other states facing similar challenges.
While dental therapists alone won’t solve all of Florida’s oral health issues, they are undeniably an essential part of the broader solution.
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