Dental therapy offers Michigan an innovative path to expand essential oral health care
Michigan introduces licensed dental therapists to address provider shortages, empowering students to deliver vital community care.
Shandra Martinez's Latest Articles
How an Indiana hygienist inspires careers, expands access as an industry ambassador
Hali Householder helps recruit future dental hygienists and promotes whole-body health through a pioneering workforce initiative tackling care shortages.
Cincinnati’s school dental clinics bring relief to thousands
Serving 24,000 patients annually, the Cincinnati Health Department dental program brings year-round care to students and community patients through an innovative public-private partnership.
New high school dental program quickly fills workforce gaps
Walker Career Center trains teens for dental careers, tackling workforce shortages and helping underserved students access well-paying, high-demand health care jobs.
Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states
“We didn’t set out to build a national program. We just responded to a local need and applied what we knew best—how to create health education that people actually understand and use.”
Breaking Barriers: Dr. Jessica Rickert inspires native dentists
Jessica Rickert, DDS, the first American Indian female dentist, advocates for oral health equity and inspires Native youth through mentorship and representation.
Doctors expand dental care access for veterans in need
Two Michigan veterans care advocates are tackling the critical gap in veterans’ dental care, offering free clinics through grants and sustainable community programs.
How an unused dental chair sparked an inclusive clinic at a Cleveland juvenile detention center
MedWish Medworks turned an unused dental chair into inclusive dentistry for youth at Cuyahoga Juvenile Detention Center, providing critical care for long-neglected health needs.
Inclusive dentistry: Transforming access for patients with disabilities
Three Centers for Inclusive Dentistry in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio use specialized training, sensory-friendly tools, and tailored approaches to provide accessible dental care for all patients.
New series explores efforts to address oral health inequities
A new State of Health series highlights innovative approaches and partnerships tackling systemic barriers to oral health care for underserved populations.
