title: Improving access to oral health care services among underserved populations in the U.S.: is there a role for mid-level dental providers?
abstract: Nearly one-third of U.S. citizens lack access to basic preventive and primary oral health care services, which is primarily the result of the high costs of care and the uneven geographic distribution of dental providers. This article examines the case for and against one possible solution to address these barriers to oral health care: the introduction of a mid-level dental provider (MDP) position within the dental field.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Social Work, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. lshaefer@umich.edu
authors.forename: H Luke
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Shaefer
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel; D032022:Delegation, Professional / Q000191:economics; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D009909:Oral Health; D061214:Patient Safety; D024382:Professional Role; D016730:Program Development / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States