WORKFORCE


ADA Issues Workforce Resolutions, ALEC Taskforce Adopts ADA Model


by VICKI WILBERS | MDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR


which is a top priority for the ADA/MDA members and leaders. Current data contin- ues to show there is an insufficient workforce to deliver care to patients. ADA Health Policy Institute survey data tracks dental team recruitment challenges. In the third quarter of 2024, for instance, 33.9 percent of dentists indicated they were currently recruiting or had recruited a dental hygienist in the prior three months. Among those dentists, 91.7 percent indicated recruitment was very chal- lenging or extremely challenging.


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Included are three resolutions that cover: allowing internationally trained dentists a path to U.S. licensure (514H-2024); letting active dental students and residents practice hygiene if they’ve met certain competency requirements (513H-2024); and, increasing the number of faculty and students in allied dental education programs by a revision of CODA accreditation standards for predoctor- al dental education programs (401H-2024).


The American Dental Hygienists’ Asso- ciation (ADHA) has expressed concern for each of the resolutions, however, the ADA has noted in a letter from President Dr. Brett Kessler, that each resolution upholds stringent licensure standards and ensures only qualified professionals practice in roles that match their training. In addition, Dr. Brett Kessler has stated, “The ADA also shares ADHA’s commitment to enhancing workplace culture, professional development, and support for all members of the dental workforce. These resolutions are intended not only to help address the staffing shortage, but also to reduce the strain on current dental teams” … “We value


16 focus | WINTER 2024 | ISSUE 4


s noted in the summary on page 13, the ADA House passed a series of resolutions that aim to address the dental workforce shortage,


and respect the essential role of dental hygien- ists in providing quality care, and we see these new policies as ways to complement — not replace — the vital role of hygienists on the dental team.”


Under 514H-2024, the ADA would encourage states to adopt policies allowing dentists who have completed a dental education program outside the U.S., subject to state licensing board requirements, to obtain a license to practice dental hygiene. Dr. Kessler reiter- ated in his letter that the ADA would not encourage states to adopt any policy allowing internationally trained dentists to work as dental hygienists unless that policy required applicants to pass board examinations dem- onstrating their competency.


The ADA said this new policy would allow it to give dentists a seat at the table on dental workforce issues, as some states already license internationally trained dentists as dental hygienists and other states are consid- ering similar legislative proposals.


Under 513H-2024, the ADA would encourage states to adopt policies allowing active dental students and residents who have completed all their required hygiene competencies to practice dental hygiene, or to practice as other dentist-supervised allied dental team members, subject to state licensure require- ments. Dr. Kessler noted in his response that any policy under consideration would have to require dental students to meet state li- censure requirements for hygiene before the ADA would encourage states to allow them to be licensed to practice hygiene.


Under 401H-2024, the ADA urges the Com- mission on Dental Accreditation to revise the accreditation standards for each of the allied


dental education programs regarding faculty- student ratios to align with the accreditation standards for predoctoral dental education programs. Dr. Kessler said updating the standard would allow allied dental training programs more flexibility to increase class sizes, which are currently restricted due to the need to hire additional faculty.


In related workforce news, the Health and Human Services Task Force of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) ad- opted the ADA-crafted Dental Access Model Act at its meeting in Washington, D.C. on December 4 in a declaration of its priorities. The model legislation will serve as a guide for legislators looking to address dental workforce issues. Chair of the ADA Council on Government Affairs, Dr. James Tauberg, along with ADA staff, presented the policy to the task force, which consists of three parts:


• Authorization of expanded function dental auxiliaries, based on the legisla- tion enacted in Wisconsin.


• Authorization of oral preventive assis- tants, based on a pilot program created by the Missouri Dental Association, which took effect December 1.


• Model teledentistry regulations, based on current Iowa law.


“The proposed model is in the best interests of the public and promotes improvements for those seeking to support quality oral health care,” said Dr. Kessler.


ALEC is a free market, limited government think tank with influence among conservative legislators around the country. Membership consists of private sector groups like the ADA, as well as public sector members like legislators and state elected officials. Passage of this model, which still requires final approval by the ALEC board, constitutes official ALEC policy. Read Dr. Kessler’s letter at bit. ly/49KeWdX. Read the related ADA News brief at bit. ly/3P0udhn. Read the ALEC news brief at bit.ly/4iII49w.


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