Who will teach the next generation of dental hygienists?

Purpose: Today there is a heightened awareness to address access issues and unmet oral needs. The current private practice system of delivering oral health care is failing many Americans. Healthcare advocates and policy makers are taking a greater interest in addressing access problems and have begun to explore new approaches to eliminate oral health care disparities. One solution is the introduction of a new member of the dental team, which is creating a power paradigm shift within the dental profession. As the Advanced Dental Hygiene Practitioner (ADHP) becomes a reality it will be necessary to advocate for change in state dental practice acts to allow this new provider access to populations that are currently unserved or underserved. The National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health report that was published in 2003 called for flexibility in licensure laws that would permit alternative models of delivery of oral healthcare services to vulnerable populations. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association responded to the Call to Action by proposing a mid–level provider, the ADHP. Six years later extensive work has led to curricula and one program that accepted applicants for the fall of 2009. This short report will outline steps necessary for changing the practice act along with an example of one state’s experience at planning and implementing creative solutions to increase access and eliminate disparities in oral healthcare in a socially responsible and cost–effective approach.