---
title: "What Is Dental therapist? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "A mid-level oral health provider, licensed in some states, who performs defined procedures under a dentist's general supervision and a written collaborative..."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-therapist
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Team and HR

# Dental therapist

A mid-level oral health provider, licensed in some states, who performs defined procedures under a dentist's general supervision and a written collaborative agreement.

A dental therapist is a mid-level oral health provider who can do some procedures a dentist normally does. A public health journal article says a dental therapist provides oral health care services under the general supervision of a dentist within the parameters of a written collaborative agreement.

The model grew from a lack of access to oral care in rural and other underserved communities. Not every state allows dental therapists, and rules on training, duties and supervision differ in states that do.

The role is one kind of [mid-level dental provider](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/mid-level-dental-provider). It differs from a [dental hygienist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-hygienist) in scope and training, and it depends on state [scope of practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/scope-of-practice) law. This entry defines the term and takes no side.

[Next stepIndustry work with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=industry)

## Related terms

-   [Mid-level dental provider](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/mid-level-dental-provider)
-   [Dental hygienist](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-hygienist)
-   [Scope of practice](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/scope-of-practice)
-   [General supervision](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/general-supervision)

## Sources

1.  [PMC, Dental Therapists: A Solution to a Shortage of Dentists in Underserved Communities?](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5415248/)
2.  [PMC, A Dental Student’s Perspective of Mid-level Providers in the Oral Healthcare Team](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8368849/)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)