ADA Supports Training for Dental Assistants and Hygienists, Opposes Dental Therapy

The American Dental Association (ADA) asked the United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to fund more training for dental assistants and dental hygienists through the agency’s Title VII Primary Care Training and Enhancement grants, which are designed to increase the number of providers working in underserved areas. Dental assisting is not currently eligible for Title VII grants, and the ADA suggests expanding their reach to include dental assisting educational programs. In the September 6 letter, the ADA also responded to a recent request from the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry—a federal advisory committee that makes suggestions to HRSA—that recommended funding dental therapy programs. ADA representatives suggest that more dental hygiene and dental assisting programs should be funded as opposed to supporting midlevel practitioners. Click here to read more.