Should Mass. Residents Take Their Teeth to a Therapist?

Should Mass. Residents Take Their Teeth to a Therapist? In the midst of a dentist shortage, the state of Minnesota has approved dental therapy as a way to make those necessary trips to the dentist more accessible and affordable. Dental therapists are required to attend two more years of school than are dental hygienists, and can fill cavities, pull teeth, and replace crowns. But the debate is on in Massachusetts about whether or not dental therapy should be legalized. According to WBUR, one in six Bay State residents live in areas with dentist shortages. Yet while some experts say dental therapy would help to provide dental care to those who would otherwise go without, others question the legitimacy and ethics of the occupation. [WBUR]