State’s new chief dental consultant highlights workforce needs
Megan Krohn, D.D.S., the new chief dental consultant for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services' Office of Dental Health, recently sat down with Missouri NPR station KBIA to speak about dental workforce issues in the state.
Dr. Krohn said the state has extreme shortages in both dental assistants and hygienists. Missouri is looking at creating pipeline programs for high school students who may be interested in learning about the oral health care field and becoming dental assistants. The state is also exploring innovative ways to train prospective dental hygienists.
Beyond increasing the number of assistants and hygienists who enter the workforce, the state is examining what types of supports it can offer to help retain them. With the cost of education rising, that support could include scholarships or loan repayment programs.
Read more: KBIA
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