Dental Therapists Can Now Work in Tribal & Other Settings
July 20, 2021
Governor Kate Brown has signed H.B. 2528, allowing licensed dental therapists to practice across the state of Oregon, including in the state's Tribal communities.
Dental therapists, focused providers who specialize in routine preventative and basic restorative oral health care services, have worked in Oregon as part of a pilot project, including at select Tribal and Urban Indian health organization pilot sites, since February 2016. The new law allows them to practice in Tribal communities and in health settings across the state.
"Today, Tribes in Oregon got another tool in their toolbelt to improve oral health care,” said Lummi Nation Councilman, National Indian Health Board (NIHB) Vice Chairman, and Portland Area Representative Nickolaus Lewis. “The Tribes in the Pacific Northwest have led the way in bringing dental therapy to the Lower 48, and Oregon’s new law will expand opportunities for Tribes. We are pleased that the dental therapists working in Oregon’s pilot sites can soon be joined by more dental therapists in other Oregon Tribes determined to use this provider model to bring care to their people.”
The new Oregon law also provides authorization for dental therapists working under the Community Health Aide Program (CHAP). The Indian Health Service is working to expand CHAP, which certifies medical, behavioral, and dental health care providers in the Alaska Area, to all of Indian Country. Dental therapists working under CHAP could use that federal certification instead of a state license.
