In This Section

Midlevel providers refer to individuals who have some dental training but do not hold a DDS or DMD and may perform irreversible procedures on the public. They include dental therapists, dental health aide therapists, and advanced dental therapists.

 While some states identify midlevel providers as solutions to addressing barriers to care, ASDA believes that dentists hold the training and expertise required for irreversible procedures, diagnosis, and prescribing drugs. Read more about ASDA’s solutions to barriers to care here.

In the News

  • In December 2024, the American Legislative Exchange Council and adopted the ADA’s workforce policy model, which included expanded functions for midlevel providers. Read more in the January Advocacy Brief.

ASDA’s C-2 policy on dental providers asserts that the dentist is the only dental provider that should perform the following functions:

  • Diagnosis and treatment planning
  • Prescribing work authorizations
  • Performing surgical and irreversible dental procedures
  • Prescribing drugs or other medications

Read More

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