Earlier this month, we attended the House Health and Wellness committee's work session on dental therapy. We were inspired by the stories that Tribal leaders, dental professionals, and patients told about how this innovative practice is having positive impacts on their communities. |
Angel Johnson, a patient of a dental therapist in the Lummi Nation, spoke about how difficult it had been for her and her family to access dental care in the past. Wait times for appointments were long, as were the distances they had to travel to see a provider. Being able to see a dental therapist near where they live has made a huge difference for Angel and her family, “it’s an awesome program and it’s only helping the community and the kids here.”
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Dental therapy is already expanding access to oral health care on Tribal lands, where it has been authorized since 2017. Will you tell your lawmakers that every Washingtonian deserves access to the dental care they need? |
