Dental Therapists Might Not Have a Strong Impact on Overall Caries Incidence, but They May Be More Effective Than Dentists in Terms of Reducing the Level of Untreated Caries

Article Title and Bibliographic Information A systematic review of oral health outcomes produced by dental teams incorporating midlevel providers. Wright JT, Graham F, Hayes C, Ismail AI, Noraian KW, Weyant RJ, Tracy SL, Hanson NB, Frantsve-Hawley J. J Am Dent Assoc 2013;144(1):75-91. Reviewers Elizabeth Phillips, PhD, H. Luke Shaefer, PhD Purpose/Question In populations where midlevel providers conduct irreversible procedures, is there a change in disease increment, untreated dental disease, or cost-effectiveness of dental care? Source of Funding None reported Type of Study/Design Systematic review Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Grade B: Inconsistent or limited quality patient-oriented evidence