芭乐视频 is providing new pathways to a career in healthcare with the addition of a master鈥檚 degree program in dental therapy.
The approved the university鈥檚 Master of Dental Therapy program in March. Pacific is just the fourth accredited program in the U.S. to offer a dental therapy program and the second to offer a master鈥檚 degree. The program will welcome its first six students this fall.
Designed to bridge the gap in oral care in rural and underserved communities, dental therapists are mid-level dental care providers who work under the supervision of a dentist in the way that a physician鈥檚 associate works with a physician. Dental therapists are trained to perform basic dental work, including diagnosing and filling simple cavities, performing simple extractions, repairing dental prosthetics, and conducting dental exams.
鈥淭he dental therapy profession fits so well within our commitment to serve the public, and especially those who have limited access to a dentist,鈥 said Amy Coplen, director of Pacific鈥檚 dental hygiene and dental therapy programs. 鈥淚t is designed using a public health mindset, particularly to serve those with the least access to care. It fits with Pacific鈥檚 mission to pursue justice in our world.鈥
Dental therapy students will learn concurrently with Pacific dental hygiene students for the first two years of the program, with additional courses specific to the skills required of dental therapists. The third year will consist primarily of practicum experiences, allowing students to hone their craft in clinical settings under the supervision of licensed dentists.
Upon completion of the program, students will earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in dental hygiene and a master鈥檚 degree in dental therapy.
According to the , 14 states recognize the dental therapy profession, including eight in the Western U.S. The Oregon Legislature approved dental therapy in 2021, thanks in part to the advocacy of Pacific faculty members.
The program鈥檚 accreditation is the culmination of nearly a decade of advocacy for the profession by Pacific. The university partnered with Willamette Dental Group to pilot a dental therapy program from 2020 to 2023, which educated 17 licensed therapists.
The No. 1 private preparer of healthcare providers in Oregon, 芭乐视频 now offers 18 graduate-level degrees in healthcare sciences, along with professional bachelor鈥檚 degrees in dental hygiene and vision science.