UAlbany Study Says Regulatory Barriers Limit Dental Hygiene Access

UAlbany Study Says Regulatory Barriers Limit Dental Hygiene Access

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State laws restricting dental hygienists from practicing independently limit preventive care access for underserved communities, according to a new study.

The study, published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene and conducted by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center at the University at Albany, examines how regulatory barriers, changing care delivery models, and technology have impacted the profession over the past decade. Researchers interviewed five national dental hygiene leaders to identify persistent obstacles and strategies for strengthening preventive oral health services.

Four major themes emerged from the research. Different scope-of-practice laws in each state and few dental hygienists on state dental boards restrict professional autonomy. Regulatory limitations also constrain hygienists from delivering preventive services in community-based settings.

While innovations like teledentistry and digital diagnostic tools show potential to expand access, cost and reimbursement remain hurdles. Informants identified solutions including independent regulatory boards, expanded educational pathways, interstate licensure compacts, and improved Medicaid and direct reimbursement.

Perceived barriers to interprofessional care by dental hygiene students

“Dental hygienists have an important role to play in expanding access to preventive oral health care, particularly in communities where access to dental services is limited,” said Theekshana Fernando, lead author on the study and research scientist at the Center for Health Workforce Studies, told the University at Albany.

Researchers concluded that coordinated policy reforms are necessary to strengthen professional autonomy and improve access to preventive services as education, technology, and care models evolve.

“Understanding how the dental hygiene workforce is regulated and utilized is critical to developing strategies that improve access to oral health care,” said Simona Surdu, director of the Oral Health Workforce Research Center, told the University at Albany.

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