An enormous body of evidence exists demonstrating that dental therapists deliver high-quality, cost-effective care and improve access to care. This page contains some key research.
Research
Comparison of Dental Care Visits Before and After Adoption of a Policy to Expand the Dental Workforce in Minnesota
This article published in JAMA Health Forum in 2022 found that authorizing dental therapists in Minnesota resulted in improved access to dental care, particularly for low-income populations.
Undoing structural racism in dentistry: Advocacy for dental therapy
This article published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry in 2022 examined how undoing structural racism in dentistry requires prioritizing the needs and priorities of communities who have been most impacted by lack of access.
Provider and Patient Satisfaction With the Dental Therapy Workforce at Apple Tree Dental
This 2022 report by the Center for Health Workforce Studies found high rates of satisfaction with dental therapists from both patients and other oral health providers at a large safety-net practice in Minnesota.
Dental Therapists in the United States: Health Equity, Advancing
This article published in the journal Medical Care in 2021 found that health equity has been a driving force in the dental therapy movement but that long-term health impacts will depend on the path of implementation and a sustained commitment to the health equity principle.
For Want of a Dentist: The Rise of the Dental Therapy Movement in Tribal Nations and the U.S.
This free e-book traces the origins and motivations of the dental therapy movement in the U.S.
The Contributions of Dental Therapists and Advanced Dental Therapists in the Dental Centers of Apple Tree Dental in Minnesota
This 2020 economic analysis by the Center for Health Workforce Studies of a large nonprofit dental clinic found that the addition of dental therapists resulted in higher productivity and improved cost-effectiveness for the entire dental team.
Provider and community perspectives of dental therapists in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: A qualitative programme evaluation
Published in the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology in 2019, this study found high patient satisfaction with dental therapists and increased knowledge about oral health.
Dental therapists linked to improved dental outcomes for Alaska Native communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
This article published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry in 2018 examined 10 years of data from Alaska and found that communities with dental therapists received more preventive care and more people kept their natural teeth.
An Advanced Dental Therapist in Rural Minnesota: Jodi Hager’s Case Study:
This 2018 case study examines the practice of a dental therapist at a large safety-net clinic in Minnesota.
Dental Utilization for Communities Served by Dental Therapists in Alaska’s Yukon Kuskokwim Delta: Findings from an Observational Quantitative Study
The largest evaluation of dental therapists’ practice to date, this study examined 10 years of data from an Alaskan health system and found that dental therapists delivered high-quality care, expanded access to care, and improved their communities’ oral health.
An Advanced Dental Therapist in Long-Term Care: Heather Luebben’s Case Study
This 2017 case study examines the practice of a dental therapist employed by a nonprofit organization working in a long-term care facility for veterans.
Midwest Dental: Dental Therapist Case Study:
A case study from 2017, this report looks at a dental therapist working at a rural private practice in Minnesota.
How Dental Therapists Can Address the Social and Racial Disparities in Access to Care
Published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2017, this article examines how oral health inequities are a racial and social justice issue and how dental therapists can help advance health equity.
Grand Marais Family Dentistry: Dental Therapist Case Study
This 2017 case study looks at a private practice employing a dental therapist in northern Minnesota.
Dental therapy practice patterns in Minnesota: a baseline study
Published in 2016 in the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, this study found the dental therapists it studied were trusted and productive dental team members and were primarily treating underserved patients, suggesting they were expanding access to care.
Early Impacts of Dental Therapists in Minnesota
This report by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Board of Dentistry found that dental therapists were cost-effective to employ, had positive receptions by patients and employers, and were decreasing wait times and travel times for patients.
Expanding the Dental Team: Increasing Access to Care in Public Settings
These 2014 case studies examine dental therapists working in the tribal health system in Alaska and a community health center in Minnesota.
Expanding the Dental Team: Studies of Two Private Practices
This 2014 case study examines the practice of Dr. John Powers in Montevideo, MN, the first private practice dentist in the U.S. to employ a dental therapist.
Clinical technical performance of dental therapists in Alaska
Published in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 2011, this study found restorations performed by dental therapists to be at comparable quality to those performed by dentists.
Evaluation of the Dental Health Aide Therapist Workforce Model in Alaska
The first major independent evaluation of the Alaska dental therapist program found that dental therapists in Alaska are providing safe, competent, appropriate dental services.
Assessment of treatment provided by dental health aide therapists in Alaska: a pilot study
This study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 2008 examined the technical quality of the care provided by dental therapists and found it equal to that of dentists.
A Report on Quality Assessment of Primary Care Provided by Dental Therapists to Alaska Natives
This 2005 evaluation found dental therapists in Alaska were providing high-quality care.
Comparison of Dental Care Visits Before and After Adoption of a Policy to Expand the Dental Workforce in Minnesota
This article published in JAMA Health Forum in 2022 found that authorizing dental therapists in Minnesota resulted in improved access to dental care, particularly for low-income populations.
Dental therapists linked to improved dental outcomes for Alaska Native communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
This article published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry in 2018 examined 10 years of data from Alaska and found that communities with dental therapists received more preventive care and more people kept their natural teeth.
Dental Utilization for Communities Served by Dental Therapists in Alaska’s Yukon Kuskokwim Delta: Findings from an Observational Quantitative Study
The largest evaluation of dental therapists’ practice to date, this study examined 10 years of data from an Alaskan health system and found that dental therapists delivered high-quality care, expanded access to care, and improved their communities’ oral health.
Dental therapy practice patterns in Minnesota: a baseline study
Published in 2016 in the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, this study found the dental therapists it studied were trusted and productive dental team members and were primarily treating underserved patients, suggesting they were expanding access to care.
Early Impacts of Dental Therapists in Minnesota
This report by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Board of Dentistry found that dental therapists were cost-effective to employ, had positive receptions by patients and employers, and were decreasing wait times and travel times for patients.
Dental therapists linked to improved dental outcomes for Alaska Native communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
This article published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry in 2018 examined 10 years of data from Alaska and found that communities with dental therapists received more preventive care and more people kept their natural teeth.
Dental Utilization for Communities Served by Dental Therapists in Alaska’s Yukon Kuskokwim Delta: Findings from an Observational Quantitative Study
The largest evaluation of dental therapists’ practice to date, this study examined 10 years of data from an Alaskan health system and found that dental therapists delivered high-quality care, expanded access to care, and improved their communities’ oral health.
Clinical technical performance of dental therapists in Alaska
Published in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 2011, this study found restorations performed by dental therapists to be at comparable quality to those performed by dentists.
Evaluation of the Dental Health Aide Therapist Workforce Model in Alaska
The first major independent evaluation of the Alaska dental therapist program found that dental therapists in Alaska are providing safe, competent, appropriate dental services.
Assessment of treatment provided by dental health aide therapists in Alaska: a pilot study
This study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association in 2008 examined the technical quality of the care provided by dental therapists and found it equal to that of dentists.
A Report on Quality Assessment of Primary Care Provided by Dental Therapists to Alaska Natives
This 2005 evaluation found dental therapists in Alaska were providing high-quality care.
The Contributions of Dental Therapists and Advanced Dental Therapists in the Dental Centers of Apple Tree Dental in Minnesota
This 2020 economic analysis by the Center for Health Workforce Studies of a large nonprofit dental clinic found that the addition of dental therapists resulted in higher productivity and improved cost-effectiveness for the entire dental team.
An Advanced Dental Therapist in Rural Minnesota: Jodi Hager’s Case Study:
This 2018 case study examines the practice of a dental therapist at a large safety-net clinic in Minnesota.
An Advanced Dental Therapist in Long-Term Care: Heather Luebben’s Case Study
This 2017 case study examines the practice of a dental therapist employed by a nonprofit organization working in a long-term care facility for veterans.
Midwest Dental: Dental Therapist Case Study:
A case study from 2017, this report looks at a dental therapist working at a rural private practice in Minnesota.
Grand Marais Family Dentistry: Dental Therapist Case Study
This 2017 case study looks at a private practice employing a dental therapist in northern Minnesota.
Early Impacts of Dental Therapists in Minnesota
This report by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Board of Dentistry found that dental therapists were cost-effective to employ, had positive receptions by patients and employers, and were decreasing wait times and travel times for patients.
Expanding the Dental Team: Increasing Access to Care in Public Settings
These 2014 case studies examine dental therapists working in the tribal health system in Alaska and a community health center in Minnesota.
Expanding the Dental Team: Studies of Two Private Practices
This 2014 case study examines the practice of Dr. John Powers in Montevideo, MN, the first private practice dentist in the U.S. to employ a dental therapist.
An Advanced Dental Therapist in Rural Minnesota: Jodi Hager’s Case Study:
This 2018 case study examines the practice of a dental therapist at a large safety-net clinic in Minnesota.
An Advanced Dental Therapist in Long-Term Care: Heather Luebben’s Case Study
This 2017 case study examines the practice of a dental therapist employed by a nonprofit organization working in a long-term care facility for veterans.
Midwest Dental: Dental Therapist Case Study:
A case study from 2017, this report looks at a dental therapist working at a rural private practice in Minnesota.
Grand Marais Family Dentistry: Dental Therapist Case Study
This 2017 case study looks at a private practice employing a dental therapist in northern Minnesota.
Expanding the Dental Team: Increasing Access to Care in Public Settings
These 2014 case studies examine dental therapists working in the tribal health system in Alaska and a community health center in Minnesota.
Expanding the Dental Team: Studies of Two Private Practices
This 2014 case study examines the practice of Dr. John Powers in Montevideo, MN, the first private practice dentist in the U.S. to employ a dental therapist.
Provider and Patient Satisfaction With the Dental Therapy Workforce at Apple Tree Dental
This 2022 report by the Center for Health Workforce Studies found high rates of satisfaction with dental therapists from both patients and other oral health providers at a large safety-net practice in Minnesota.
Provider and community perspectives of dental therapists in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta: A qualitative programme evaluation
Published in the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology in 2019, this study found high patient satisfaction with dental therapists and increased knowledge about oral health.
Early Impacts of Dental Therapists in Minnesota
This report by the Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Board of Dentistry found that dental therapists were cost-effective to employ, had positive receptions by patients and employers, and were decreasing wait times and travel times for patients.
Evaluation of the Dental Health Aide Therapist Workforce Model in Alaska
The first major independent evaluation of the Alaska dental therapist program found that dental therapists in Alaska are providing safe, competent, appropriate dental services.
Undoing structural racism in dentistry: Advocacy for dental therapy
This article published in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry in 2022 examined how undoing structural racism in dentistry requires prioritizing the needs and priorities of communities who have been most impacted by lack of access.
Dental Therapists in the United States: Health Equity, Advancing
This article published in the journal Medical Care in 2021 found that health equity has been a driving force in the dental therapy movement but that long-term health impacts will depend on the path of implementation and a sustained commitment to the health equity principle.
For Want of a Dentist: The Rise of the Dental Therapy Movement in Tribal Nations and the U.S.
This free e-book traces the origins and motivations of the dental therapy movement in the U.S.
How Dental Therapists Can Address the Social and Racial Disparities in Access to Care
Published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2017, this article examines how oral health inequities are a racial and social justice issue and how dental therapists can help advance health equity.