The American Dental Association is projecting an increase in dentists in the next 20 years, but the number of people in dental assisting programs is expected to decline. Enrollment has been going down since 2015 but the pandemic made it worse and it is expected to continue.
One possible solution that a growing number of states are looking at is having dental therapists help fill these gaps.
Dental therapists must collaborate with a dentist and are authorized to do fewer procedures than dentists but are trained the same on those procedures.
Thirteen states currently authorize dental therapists to practice with others considering it.
Source: Shortage of dental assistants pushing states to make policy changes / 23 ABC Bakersfield