Ohio is part of a larger movement nationwide to expand access to needed dental care. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation announed on Wednesday that it will support efforts in five states -Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio Vermont, and Washington-to pursue the dental therapy model.
A promising approach is expanding the dental care team to include Dental Therapists, who can provide preventitve dental services, cleanings, filings and sample extractions under the general suprvision of a dentist. Based on a successful program tested in Alaska, the new addition to the dental team will provide a community based approach to help alleviate the dental shortage. Dental Therapist are trained in two years at substantially less cost than dentists and, as a result, will make dental care more affordable and more accessible.
Dr. Lyon's speaks to audiance"We have two full time and three part time dentists butcannot keep up with the demand," said Dr. Paul Lyons, dental director at Health Partners of Western Ohio. "Our waiting list is over 2,000 names long and growns every day. Each day when the staff arrive to the clinic we have from 8 to 10 patiens needing emergency dental care waiting at the door. In order to meet the needs of those in our community and across the state, we must expand the dental care team to include dental therapists."
Dental Access Now is a statewide coalition working to bring qualit dental care to every community. It is a project of UHCAN Ohio in partnership with Community Catalyst and funded by the W.K. Kellogg oundation. For more information go to http://uhcanohio.org/content/abot-dental-access-now
