ODH, in partnership with Department’s Offi ce of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHCP), worked to immediately open loan repay- ment options for dental hygienists working in underserved areas through the Health Profes- sionals Loan Repayment Program. The ap- plication cycle runs from September 1 through November 1 and can be found at
bit.ly/4n436kN. The ORHPC is also working to expand the State Loan Repayment Program to include dental hygienists by the 2026 application cycle. Com- bined, this would create three loan repayment options (two state and one federal) for Missouri hygienists by fall of 2026.
Training: There is opportunity to think innova- tively about training the dental hygiene work- force. Dr. Megan Krohn, The ODH Chief Dental Consultant, had the pleasure of meeting with all the Missouri dental hygiene training pro- gram directors. Through these meetings, ODH learned about challenges to program expan- sion — mainly space and fi nancial constraints — combined with constant external pressures to increase workforce output while maintain- ing high-quality training. ODH also learned that many programs receive three to four times the number of applicants they can accept, all of which are highly qualifi ed individuals. Eff orts are underway to explore partnerships through which hygienists can be trained in the communi- ties in which they will work. Data suggests that workforce trained in underserved or rural setting are more likely to choose those areas for employ- ment. While eff orts are early, ODH is hopeful about opportunities to think innovatively to sup- port these training models.
Again, ODH remains committed to the oral health needs of all Missourians, especially the most vulnerable. We are proud to be a strong partner in meeting the needs through addressing workforce shortages.
This update was provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Offi ce of Dental Health. Megan Krohn, DDS is its Chief Dental Consultant. Contact her at megan.
krohn@health.mo.gov or 816-889-2172. Julie Boeckman is its Unit Chief/Program Manager. Contact her at
julie.boeckman@
health.mo.gov or 573-751-6249.
REFERENCES
1. ADA HPI 2025 Dentist Workforce Report, https://www.
ada.org/resources/research/health-policy-institute/ dentist-workforce
2. Missouri DHSS Health Professional Loan Repayment Pro- gram Application,
https://missouriwic.iad1.qualtrics.com/ jfe/form/SV_9LdszyvRrUYfORM
30 focus | FALL 2025 | ISSUE 3
HEALTH PROFESSIONAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (HPLRP)
FESSI LRP
NOW INCLUDING DENTAL HYGIENISTS!
NOWINCLUDING DEN
Applications ar accep
Applications are accepted Sept. 1 to Nov. 1 Contact Us:
Con
Update: Missouri Primary Care Association Dental Assistant Apprenticeship Training Program
by KAREN DENT, CDA, EFDA U
tilizing funds from Delta Dental of Missouri, the Missouri Primary Care Association implemented an onsite dental assistant apprenticeship train- ing program in four rural Missouri Community Health Centers: Missouri
Highlands Health Care, Katy Trail Community Health Center, Fordland Clinic and Missouri Ozarks Community Health Center. The training program was initiated in 2024 and concluded in 2025.
A total of 16 students (four per training site) participated in the program which em- ployed an online curriculum and learning platform from Washington State PCA’s “In- Reach” apprenticeship initiative. The students were trained onsite in the participat- ing health centers, spending part of each week on didactic training while spending the remainder of their time perfecting skills within the dental clinic.
Of the 16 students enrolled in the original four cohorts, 14 completed the program and have successfully completed the Dental Assisting National Board’s Missouri Den- tal Assisting Skills exam. All 14 students are currently employed as dental assistants in rural areas of the state. Missouri Primary Care Association hopes to build on the initial success of this training program through collaboration with additional Commu- nity Health Centers and other partners.
Karen is the Director of Oral Health Network of Missouri, through which she develops and coordinates education and outreach activities. Contact her at
kdent@mo-pca.org.
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