Michigan has licensed its first dental therapist as part of a state effort to expand access to dental care.
Dana Obey is practicing in the Upper Peninsula area. Additionally, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is supporting the development of Michigan’s first dental therapy training program to grow the dental therapist workforce.
Although Michigan created a licensure pathway in 2021, students have had to train out of state due to limited programs. That is expected to change as Ferris State University develops Michigan’s first dental therapy program with U.S. support.
Since Alaska first approved the role, just over a dozen states have authorized dental therapists in 20 years, reflecting slow adoption despite ongoing workforce shortages. Dental therapists can provide routine care, allowing dentists to focus on more complex treatments.
The ADA has acknowledged workforce shortages but has opposed expanding dental therapy, citing concerns about education standards and public safety. While those concerns emphasize accredited education, the ADA has supported on-the-job training pathways for dental assistants and hygienists.
These newer approaches may help with staffing shortages but lack the standardized education the ADA previously demanded of dental therapists. This shift raises questions about consistency in workforce policy and patient safety standards.
