Dental practitioners and dental therapists

The use of midlevel dental providers (MLDPs, per the study authors) is being debated as a means of reducing oral health disparities and increasing access to care among underserved populations. Dental providers include the advanced dental hygiene practitioner, community dental health coordinator, dental health aide therapist, and dental therapist. These providers are new to the US dental profession, although medicine has used similar positions for years. Medical literature has shown mixed results as to whether these providers improve access to care and increase practice efficiency; however, studies have demonstrated clearly that the quality of care outcomes of these providers is comparable to those of physicians. Studies of MLDPs suggest potential practice and public health benefits. With appropriate training, licensure, supervision, and deployment to geographical areas with significant need, MLDPs could increase access to care to underserved populations and help prevent deaths attributable to untreated dental disease.