Dental Public Health
April 2018
Dental Hygiene Workforce Model
There are many dental hygiene workforce models that have been adopted by different
states in America. These programs and specialties are important to deliver oral health care to
individuals with limited access to care. Throughout this paper, I will focus on two types which
include the Dental Therapist and the Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice.
A Dental Therapist (DT) can perform preventative and restorative services under general
or indirect supervision of a dentist. They can perform many duties including but not limited to
taking radiographs, placing sealants and temporary crowns, administering local anesthesia and
