New Research Shows Dental Therapy Is a Success in Alaska

A study recently published in the Journal of the American Dental Association showed that dental therapy significantly expanded access to dental care for those living in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of Alaska since dental therapy was introduced 10 years ago. Prior to the introduction of dental therapy, those living in this rural area of Western Alaska had high rates of dental disease due to very limited availability of professional dental care. Since dental therapists were introduced, the use of diagnostic and preventive care has significantly increased and the need for treatments such as tooth extractions and root canals has decreased. The only downside noted was a lack of enough dental therapists in the region to meet the needs of the population. Click here to read more.