What is a Midlevel Provider?
ASDA identifies a midlevel provider as an individual, who is not a dentist with four years of post-collegiate education (three years in the case of University of the Pacific School of Dentistry), who may perform irreversible procedures on the public. They have some dental training, but do not hold a DDS or DMD degree.
Midlevel dental providers could include any of the following:
- Dental therapist
- Dental health aide therapist
- Advanced dental therapist
Some states have adopted legislation permitting midlevel providers to practice in that state. Many states
cite
barriers
to care issues and reducing oral health disparities as primary reasons midlevel providers are
necessary. However, data has not demonstrated that midlevel providers help reduce untreated dental decay.
ASDA Policy
ASDA’s
C-2 policy on dental providers states that the dentist is the only dental provider that should
perform the following functions:
- Diagnosis and treatment planning
- Prescribing work authorizations
- Performing surgical/irreversible dental procedures
- Prescribing drugs and/or other medications
What Has ASDA Done?
-
Watch ASDA’s Fast Facts video on midlevel providers here.
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ASDA’s Advocacy 101 webinar digs into key issues affecting the profession, including midlevel providers.
Watch the recording here.
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ASDA’s 2019 midlevel provider advo-cast featured two experts who focused on midlevel legislation and the role
of Community Dental Health Coordinators. Watch the recording here.
Current Legislation
Be sure to check ASDA Action for any midlevel
provider bills that ASDA may be monitoring on the state level.
Stay up to date on the status of midlevel providers in your state.
ASDA Resources