FILE - A child shows off her teeth after a dental exam in Concord, N.H., Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, file)

MICHIGAN – According to a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) press release on Thursday, the state’s first dental therapist has been licensed and is practicing in the Upper Peninsula.

The release stated that the milestone is reflective of efforts by MDHHS and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to increase access to dental care “for all Michigan residents.”

In addition to the first dental therapist in the state, MDHHS said it is also assisting with the development of a dental therapy training program.

According to the release, dental therapists are licensed providers trained to deliver routine dental care including exams, cleanings, and fillings under a dentist’s supervision. Because they focus on a limited set of procedures, training is faster and more affordable than traditional dental school: three to six years compared to eight years.

“Strengthening the state’s dental workforce is an important focus for the department,” Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, said in the release. “Licensing Michigan’s first dental therapist is an important step in expanding access to care in underserved areas where there are limited providers.”

MDHHS added in the release that dental therapists can practice in traditional private offices and non-traditional settings such as schools, mobile clinics, and community health centers. The profession has existed globally for more than 100 years and is authorized in at least 14 states.

“I am proud to be the first dental therapist in Michigan because I have the opportunity every single day to show others how rewarding this career can be and the powerful impact a dental therapist can have on improving access to oral health care in underserved communities,” Dana Obey, licensed dental therapist, said in the release. “I hope my journey inspires others to join this profession. Becoming Michigan’s first dental therapist is more than a career milestone – it’s an opportunity to go above and beyond to provide a safe space where patients feel respected and heard. I’ve seen firsthand how, with the right support, tools and education, lasting lifestyle changes are possible.”

According to MDHHS, Michigan has 59.1 dentists per 100,000 people, though dentists are not equally distributed throughout the state or representative of the populations they serve. More than 1.5 million residents live in federally designated dental shortage areas with limited access to care. This includes children and seniors, low-income families, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and rural residents.

The release stated that dental therapists are trained to serve these populations in the following ways:

— Reduce wait times.

— Expand access effectively.

— Ease pressure on existing providers.

— Improve cultural and linguistic representation in care.

MDHHS explained in the release that Michigan established a licensure pathway for dental therapists in 2021. However, as no dental therapy programs are offered in the state, Michigan students have had to pursue their education in other states with the intention of returning to serve in Michigan communities. Currently, only five dental therapy programs exist nationally.

However, Ferris State University is developing Michigan’s first program, targeted to launch in the next couple years, according to MDHHS. MDHHS is assisting Ferris State with program development through a federal Health Resources and Services Administration oral health workforce grant. This includes $85,000 in funding to help the university hire a consultant to assist with curriculum design and accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

“The development of a Michigan dental therapy program is another way our state is working to ensure Michigan families can easily access care as oral health plays a critical role in overall health and well-being,” Hertel said in the release.