It costs $1,500-$7,500 to educate an EFDA; $30,000-$60,000 to educate a hygienist; and $350,000-$500,000 to educate a dentist.


It is also clear that support from organi- zations such as the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) who adopted the OPA into their model oral healthcare policy, indicates the need for changes in the oral healthcare delivery system. This adoption has brought forth applications of the OPA EFDA into other states: In 2025 Arizona placed the OPA into law, Illinois has created a type of scaling assistant, and scaling assistants have existed in Kansas for decades — with no adverse effects being reported. The MDA has had several other states inquiring about the pilot and licensing the OPA curriculum. The question remains: Will Missouri, with the support of its dental profession, have the courage and fortitude to make this a law in our very own state?


Other possibilities to decrease shortages certainly exist. Enhancing the role of the hygienist is important. The MDA worked heavily with its own membership to address


its policies and make changes to move for- ward with support for RDHs to provide local anesthesia under general supervision. That rule has been fully promulgated into law and serves the ODH Nursing Home Care Project. Allowing more spots for hygienists in schools is another way to address the shortage and bringing more programs for exploration of interest into dental careers is yet another element to help build a pipeline of people for the dental profession. Dr. Megan Krohn, the new State of Missouri Dental Consultant, is committed to this issue and has brought together a group of stakeholders to continue to discuss the myriad opportunities to ad- dress oral healthcare workforce shortages in our state (see the ODH and other workforce updates starting on page 29).


WHAT YOU CAN DO


I had said previously that we receive com- ments from doctors expressing their support for the OPA — and often, asking what they can do to help bring its passage to our state. For any dentist or supporter reading this and wondering what they might be able to do to build up this program, it’s simple: Build


a relationship with your state senator and representative and give to MODentPAC. For us to accomplish our goal, we need you to build new or enhance current relationships to help us bring this successfully to the finish line. There is a great article on page 16 about this very topic! Contact our office; our lobby- ing team will walk you through how to make these relationships and be a leader for this important advocacy work!


In retrospect, the challenges we have faced with the enormity of the OPA Pilot Project seem minimal compared to the care being given to patients by the OPAs and overall work being conducted by the sites. Their enthusiasm for this model and the hope for it to become available for the entire dental profession in Missouri is palpable. Their work is outstanding, reflecting their extreme dedication to the project because of its value for their patients, team and the provision of dental care in our state. We cannot thank them enough for their incredible role. I cannot give enough praise for their ongoing efforts; I am humbled by their commitment to this project.


14 focus | FALL 2025 | ISSUE 3


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