There is a new field of dental therapists that may be changing dental care for those in need.  With nearly 17 million children are not getting proper dental care. Some of the reason are dental care cost is too high for many families, as well as many dentists do not accept Medicaid nationwide. In 2009 there were 830,000 visits to emergency rooms for dental problems that could have been prevented with proper preventive dental care.

With the Affordable Health Care law more children will become eligible for dental care. One expert said, taxpayers will benefit from fewer trips to the hospital. Better dental care also could improve school attendance. For example, in just California more than half a million children missed school in 2007 because of dental problems.

California and other states are searching for new ways to help meet the demand, including the use of dental therapists. However, many dentists do not agree with that decision.  They say dental therapists do not have enough education and training to perform surgical procedures such as filling cavities or pulling teeth.

In 2005 Alaska became the first state to use dental therapists. Minnesota authorized the new profession in 2009. The first graduates of their dental therapy programs began practicing last year.

California, New Hampshire, Oregon and Connecticut are considering creating programs for dental care therapists.