What is a Dental Therapist?

Описание: For more than 125 million Americans, basic dental care is out of reach. But there’s a solution that can help: dental therapy.

A dental therapist is similar to a nurse practitioner and works under the supervision of the dentist. They can travel all over the state to help people who may have trouble accessing dental care, such as children or seniors.

“I see rampant tooth decay every day, but I also know that I’m reaching those who are most in need,” says Christy Jo Fogarty, a dental therapist practicing in Minnesota.

In this video, see how Christy Jo is making a difference when it comes to dental health and why more U.S. states are authorizing dental therapists.

Learn more about dental therapy: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/...

Full transcript

Our enthusiasm for going to the dentist has always been lukewarm at best.

But for more than 125 million Americans, basic dental care is out of reach.

Either because their dentist office is too far from where they live, doesn’t accept their insurance, or isn’t open at the right time.

Or because they just can’t afford it.

Left untreated, dental problems can cause serious health issues, like heart disease and respiratory infections.

It’s a problem that costs all of us. In 2014, $1.9 billion of taxpayer money was wasted on preventable ER visits, even though hospitals can do little to treat dental problems.

So how do we solve this problem? To find out, we called up a dental therapist.

"My name is Christy Jo Fogatry. I’m a dental therapist with Children’s Dental Services in Minneapolis.

A dental therapist is much like a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. We work under the supervision of a dentist. We can do just about any kind of fillings, stainless steel crowns.

We see children, we see pregnant women, we see veterans, we see seniors, any people who have trouble accessing dental care.

I travel, really, all over the state. Unfortunately, I do see rampant tooth every day, but I also know that I’m reaching those most in need."

With more than 63 million people in the U.S. living in areas with dentist shortages, dental therapists like Christy Jo are making a big difference.

"In my job every day I am fortunate that I’m able to treat those most in need, those children who are most likely to fall through the cracks of the dental system that we currently have and, quite often, I’m paid in lots and lots of hugs."

More people in Minnesota are getting the care they need. One private practice increased its Medicaid patient load 16 times over since bringing dental therapists on board.

And in Alaska where dental therapists also practice, 40,000 people have care that didn’t before.

More and more states are authorizing or considering dental therapists because they can expand care to people who need it the most.

It's time to put dental care in reach for more Americans.