Ohio needs well-trained mid-level dental providers to improve our oral health so Ohioans can lead healthy, productive lives. But in order to introduce a new type of dental provider, we also need education standards (preferably national ones). Education standards guide community colleges and state universities in developing training programs for the new providers. Without education standards, colleges and universities have been unable to take the steps necessary to set up a program to educate and train Dental Therapists to practice in Ohio. But now the void has been filled.

Recently, the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), the nationally recognized accrediting body for dental and dental-related professions, took a historic step to adopt Accreditation Standards for Dental Therapy Education Programs. That means Ohio educational institutions will now have the guidance they need to craft training programs to ensure the delivery of safe, effective routine dental care through Dental Therapists. Weighing in on this decision, Dr. Edward Sterling, DDS of Dublin, OH said, “The Commission on Dental Accreditation establishment of training standards for Dental Therapists is a critical step… Now, training goals and standards are established and can be measured to assure they are met – the same way it is done throughout all of dental education.”

We’re not in the clear yet, though. CODA is delaying implementation of the Standards while gathering more data on 2 remaining questions:

• Has the allied dental education area been in operation for a sufficient period of time to establish benchmarks and adequately measure performance? and
• Is there evidence of need and support from the public and professional communities to sustain educational programs in the discipline?

Community Catalyst, our national partner in this project, sent a letter in early June which included signers from over 100 organizations and individuals, including 38 from Ohio, providing CODA with documentation which addressed these questions and calling on CODA to implement the Standards. This information will be considered at the August 7, 2015 meeting of the Commission.

We’re hoping that CODA will vote to implement the education standards so Dental Access Now! can continue to work with Ohio community colleges to develop their programs to train end educate Dental Therapists here in Ohio.