Webinars

An Introduction to Dental Therapy Education Programs

Dental therapy is already training the next generation of oral health providers at institutions across the country, and we want you to meet two of them. On July 20th, the New York Partnership for Dental Therapy held a webinar featuring educators from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and Skagit Valley College, two programs that have built dental therapy training from the ground up. Together, they will walk us through how their programs are structured, who their students are, and what national education standards mean for the profession’s future. Whether you are new to dental therapy or already following New York’s effort to authorize the profession, this conversation offers a grounded look at what dental therapy education looks like in practice and what it can mean for communities that need more oral health providers.

Findings From a Scoping Review of Dental Therapy Research

A scoping review was conducted to assess the evidence base for dental therapy in the United States and identify gaps in knowledge regarding its implementation, safety, quality, economic impact, and contribution to access to care. In this webinar, Beth Mertz, leader of the review team, presents key findings from the research. Co-sponsored by Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy Event Date June 30, 2026 at 2:00 pm ET

Introduction to Dental Therapy

Speaker: Laura (Hale) Brannon, Sr. Project Manager, Dental Therapy, Community Catalyst.  On Tuesday, June 23rd, Schuyler Center and Community Catalyst held a conversation on dental therapists — how they expand access to oral health care, advance equity, and why the moment to act is now. At a moment when federal budget cuts threaten to significantly reduce Medicaid dental coverage and other programs millions of people rely on for oral health care, innovative workforce models like dental therapy offer a community-driven path forward. This webinar explores how dental therapists fit into the dental team, what the research says about their impact on access and oral health outcomes, and why communities across the country are looking to this model as a strategy for advancing health equity and economic justice. Whether you’re new to dental therapy or looking for a refresher, this session is designed for advocates, policymakers, and healthcare professionals who want to understand a workforce solution that’s gaining momentum across the country.

Slides – An Introduction to Dental Therapy Education Programs

Slides – Findings From a Scoping Review of Dental Therapy Research