- ACA Implementation & State Health Reform
- Coverage and Access
- Federal/State Issues
- Medicaid and CHIP
- Population and Public Health
- Providers and Services
- Acute Care
- Assisted Living
- Behavioral Health
- Case Management
- Child Development Services
- Chronic Care Management
- Community Health Centers
- Developmental Screening
- Early Childhood Services
- Emergency Care
- EPSDT
- Family Planning
- Federally Qualified Health Centers
- Home & Community Based Services
- Hospitals
- Long Term Services & Supports
- Medical Homes & Health Homes
- Mental Health
- Nursing Homes
- Oral Health
- Preventive Care
- Primary Care
- Safety Net Providers
- Quality, Cost, and Health System Performance
- ACOs
- Adverse Event Reporting
- Care Transitions
- Comparative Effectiveness
- Cost Sharing
- Delivery System Reform
- Fraud and Abuse
- Health Care Workforce
- Health Information Technology
- Managed Care
- Medical Homes & Health Homes
- Medical Malpractice
- Patient Safety
- Payment Reform
- Performance Measurement
- Provider Payment Policy
- Quality Oversight
- Specific Populations
- Adolescents
- Childless Adults
- Children
- Children with Special Health Care Needs
- Dual Eligibles
- Elders
- Families
- Low Income People
- Parents
- People with Chronic Conditions
- People with Developmental Disabilities
- Transitional Youth
- Vulnerable Populations
- Young Adults
- Youth
- Youth in Foster Care System
- Youth in Juvenile Justice System
Access to dental care is an increasingly serious problem for many people in the United States, particularly for children. There is a shortage of private dentists and a limited availability of affordable, or government-supported dental care. This is further compounded by the small number of private dentists willing to participate in public health insurance programs, or treat young children and other underserved populations, especially in rural areas.
As a result, many states are exploring the option of adding a new type of dental provider to the existing dental health team, similar to a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. The policy brief and report "Help Wanted: A Policy Maker's Guide to New Dental Providers," explains the options and gives states the tools they need as they consider new and creative ways to deliver quality dental services to people who need them.
The Pew Center on the States and the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, conducted a comprehensive literature review and interviews with leading experts in several states to learn about existing proposals for new dental providers. The report and brief explore three provider types-dental therapists, community dental health coordinators and advanced dental hygiene practitioners - along with steps that state policy makers can consider to develop these new providers in their states.
May 2009
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Issue Brief for Dental Providers | 437.09 KB |
