LOW-COST DENTAL CARE IGNITES WIDE DEBATE
In remote northwestern Alaska, where dental decay is rampant, some of Stephanie Woods’ patient suffered from toothaches for months on end—“raging toothaches with swelling,” she said, “something that you or I would go that day and have it taken care of.” But these patients just lived with the pain. “They thought it was part of everyday life,” she said.
Ms. Woods is not a dentist. She is one of 15 certified dental therapist in /Alaska, the only state where no dentists may perform extractions and administer fillings. The therapists, who receive two years of training, help fill thevacuum: Alaska has for a long time had trouble attracting and retaining licensed dentists. Sixty present of Alaska Native children ages 2 to 5 have untreated decay, and 20 present of Native adults over 55 have no teeth at all.
But the American Dental Association, the nation's leading dental society, opposes the use of nondentists for "irreversible procedures" including drilling and extraction, citing patient safety. "If you have a person suffering from pain, that person has advanced disease," said Dr. Raymond Gist, the association's president. "I that person should see a licensed dentistwithout delay."
Now a two-year foundation supported study has reignited the debate over which practitioners are qualified to provide dental care, especially to underserved populations in high poverty areas. It found that Alaska's dental therapist provide safe, competent appropriate care. The therapists refer cases beyond their scope to supervising dentistists. The study, financed by the W.K. Kellogg, Rasmuson and Bethel Community Services Foundations, examined the work of dental therapist in five rural Alaskan communities. The positive results are consistent with finding from overseas, where dental therapy programs are well established, said Dr. Mary Williard, a dentist who directs the therapist traing program for the nonprofit Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
To be continued...
KARL WALLACE
To read more Karl Wallace go to: karlwallaceblog.blogspot.com
In remote northwestern Alaska, where dental decay is rampant, some of Stephanie Woods’ patient suffered from toothaches for months on end—“raging toothaches with swelling,” she said, “something that you or I would go that day and have it taken care of.” But these patients just lived with the pain. “They thought it was part of everyday life,” she said.
Ms. Woods is not a dentist. She is one of 15 certified dental therapist in /Alaska, the only state where no dentists may perform extractions and administer fillings. The therapists, who receive two years of training, help fill thevacuum: Alaska has for a long time had trouble attracting and retaining licensed dentists. Sixty present of Alaska Native children ages 2 to 5 have untreated decay, and 20 present of Native adults over 55 have no teeth at all.
But the American Dental Association, the nation's leading dental society, opposes the use of nondentists for "irreversible procedures" including drilling and extraction, citing patient safety. "If you have a person suffering from pain, that person has advanced disease," said Dr. Raymond Gist, the association's president. "I that person should see a licensed dentistwithout delay."
Now a two-year foundation supported study has reignited the debate over which practitioners are qualified to provide dental care, especially to underserved populations in high poverty areas. It found that Alaska's dental therapist provide safe, competent appropriate care. The therapists refer cases beyond their scope to supervising dentistists. The study, financed by the W.K. Kellogg, Rasmuson and Bethel Community Services Foundations, examined the work of dental therapist in five rural Alaskan communities. The positive results are consistent with finding from overseas, where dental therapy programs are well established, said Dr. Mary Williard, a dentist who directs the therapist traing program for the nonprofit Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
To be continued...
KARL WALLACE
To read more Karl Wallace go to: karlwallaceblog.blogspot.com
