Dental Therapists: The missing link to better oral health care for children in New Mexico
Creators: name: Andersen, Andrea
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 2015

description: New Mexico is ranked one of the worst states for access to dental care and for children and families living in rural communities throughout the state, these statistics are even more striking. Thirty-two out of New Mexico's 33 counties are all or in part federally designated as dental health professional shortage areas which, are in dire need of increased access to oral health services. In addition to dental treatment of acute issues, education and prevention are key components of adequate and timely oral health care, including proper nutrition, quality hygiene habits and knowledge of the culture and unique needs of New Mexico's children. Dental therapists have demonstrated this capability in a variety of settings. The dental therapist model brings together essential elements of pubic health practice and is a fitting solution for the deficiencies of the current system. Dental therapists are trained to provide basic dental services under the direction of a licensed dentist and have traditionally functioned in underserved areas (The University of Minnesota, [UMN], 2015). They are trained in much the same way as dental students with didactic and clinical instruction that typically last 2-3 years and are required to complete an additional post-graduate training and competency exam before entering the workforce (UMN, 2015). Dental therapy, although a relatively new practice in the United States, is not a novel treatment of children internationally. It has shown great promise as a complementary component of the dental team and could spearhead the effort of meeting the oral health needs of underserved children in New Mexico, a population that typically has one of the highest level of caries (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2011). New Mexico's oral health advocates' push for dental therapy began in 2008 in an attempt to create the framework and licensing for these new specialists to practice in the state, and was most recently introduced as HB 349 in the 2015 legislative session. This year was the first this legislation was voted on by the NM House of Representatives. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 34-25, but the session ended before it made it through the Senate (New Mexico Legislature, 2015). The effort to pass dental therapist legislation in NM is not done and continues. In fact, the past year has brought about even greater support for it, as government supporters, community advocates, and other local leaders continue to work tirelessly to promote its benefits. The current elements of the bill provide a strong foundation for successful implementation and would allow for the integration of care between dental therapists, dentists and hygienists as part of the dental team. Dental therapists also allow for cohesive collaboration between primary care medical providers, doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Dental therapists are the link to primary care clinics and facilities creating a complete health home, uniting medical and dental together for communities throughout the state. Community health workers (CHW'S), a growing asset to rural residents everywhere, will also be a direct connection to dental therapists for timely and appropriate dental care and treatment. Dental therapy is not just about access to better dental care but is also an essential right for children. Children with oral health problems experience pain, miss school and, therefore, do not perform well in academics leading to lower self-esteem and greatly reducing the chances they will grow to be their most promising selves. Dental therapists not only make a professional livable-wage that helps support their families, elders and children but they can also act as role models for children that might one day choose to serve the community as well. Dental therapy is the right choice for all of New Mexico's children, especially those living in rural communities throughout the state that deserve to smile confidently, too.