Addressing the Oral Health Workforce Shortage in Community Health Centers

The Oral Health Workforce Shortage in Community Health Centers 

Community health centers (CHCs) care for more than 52 million people across the United States. They are the backbone of our healthcare safety net. 

Yet today, they face a growing threat: a shrinking oral health workforce. 

The National Association of Community Health Centers projects that by 2038, non-metro regions will experience a 46 percent shortage of dentists. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that an additional 41,000 dentists and dental hygienists will be needed by 2037. 

HRSA’s National Center for Health Workforce Analysis reinforces the urgency. By 2038, the U.S. is projected to face shortages of: 

• 33,220 dental hygienists 

• 19,860 general dentists 

  
  

Rural communities are expected to experience the largest gaps. 

For health centers, these numbers translate into delayed care, longer waitlists, and widening health disparities, particularly in communities already designated Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. 

Why The Dental Workforce Shortage is Worsening 

The causes are structural and long-standing: 

1. Costly Education Pipeline Dental education is lengthy and expensive. Fewer graduates are choosing community-based or rural practice. 

2. Geographic Maldistribution Providers cluster in urban private practice settings, leaving rural counties underserved. 

3. Scope-of-Practice Barriers In many states, hygienists and assistants cannot practice at the top of their license. 

4. Salary Gaps and Burnout Safety-net clinics struggle to match private-sector compensation, contributing to turnover and workforce instability.

The oral health workforce shortage in community health centers is real. Without intervention, access gaps will widen, particularly for patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and pregnancy-related complications tied to untreated oral disease. 

Expanding Roles to Strengthen Access 

Training more dentists alone will not close the gap. 

States are demonstrating that expanding workforce roles can dramatically increase capacity.

Michigan’s Medicaid Reform Model 

Michigan allows dental hygienists to enroll as Medicaid providers. This enables them to bill for preventive services delivered in: 

• Nursing homes 

• Schools 

• Migrant camps 

The state now supports 54 mobile community-based programs.

Hygienists are also embedded in pediatric and OB-GYN clinics within FQHCs, where they provide preventive care, education, and follow-up coordination. 

This model increases preventive access without adding dentists. 

Oregon’s Virtual Dental Home 

Oregon’s Virtual Dental Home uses Expanded Practice Dental Hygienists (EPDHs) to deliver care in community settings. 

Using portable equipment and intraoral imaging: 

• EPDHs conduct exams 

• Provide preventive services 

• Deliver interim therapeutic restorations 

Dentists supervise remotely via teledentistry and review cases virtually.

Combined with loan repayment and retention tools, the program strengthens rural workforce stability. 

How Telehealth and Digital Workflows Expand Capacity 

Teledentistry is no longer experimental. It is operationally necessary. 

Remote supervision and consultation allow: 

• Efficient triage 

• Reduced travel burdens 

• Better allocation of dentist time

Oregon’s experience shows teledentistry is especially effective in communities without stationary clinics.

Beyond virtual visits, digital integration matters. 

OroMed’s platform allows medical assistants to: 

• Capture intraoral images during routine medical visits 

• Complete structured risk assessments 

• Trigger automated referrals 

Artificial intelligence flags early signs of decay and periodontal disease. EHR integration ensures documentation and follow-up workflows remain seamless. 

This approach: 

• Expands screening capacity 

• Protects dentist time 

• Embeds prevention into primary care 

All without adding staff, rooms, or cost. 

Policy Levers That Can Stabilize the Workforce 

Federal and state action remains essential. 

Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program 

This program trains clinicians in community-based settings. Advocates are urging Congress to renew and expand funding. 

National Health Service Corps (NHSC) 

The NHSC provides scholarships and loan repayment for clinicians serving underserved areas. 

Importantly, 85 percent of NHSC participants remain in shortage areas after completing their service commitment. 

Expanding NHSC eligibility to include more dental hygienists and mid-level providers would meaningfully strengthen CHC staffing. 

Dentist And Dental Hygienist Compact 

Multi-state licensing compacts can ease recruitment and allow providers to practice across state lines. 

Dental Therapy Authorization 

Authorizing dental therapists increases treatment capacity by adding mid-level providers capable of performing routine restorative procedures. 

Practical Steps Health Center Leaders Can Take Now 

Even as policy reforms evolve, there are concrete steps leaders can implement today. 

Integrate Oral Health into Medical Care: Train medical staff on the oral–systemic connection. Incorporate oral screenings into medical workflows. Learn more about how OroMed integrates seamlessly into medical workflows inside health centers.

Empower Mid-Level Providers: Advocate for scope-of-practice modernization. Embed hygienists and EPDHs into medical teams and outreach programs. 

Implement Teledentistry and Digital Tools: Adopt secure telehealth platforms. Use intraoral imaging and integrated EHR workflows to streamline preventive care. 

Build Community Partnerships — And Advocate: Partner with schools, WIC programs, and senior centers to expand prevention efforts. 

A recent New York report found that more than 5 million residents live in dental shortage areas and 43 percent face major barriers to care. The report recommends expanding teledentistry, early childhood prevention, and community-based workforce roles. These partnerships extend reach, and create a foundation for coordinated advocacy. 

Looking Ahead 

The oral health workforce shortage in health centers is a serious structural challenge. But it is also an inflection point. 

By: 

• Expanding workforce roles 

• Modernizing policy 

• Embedding oral health into medical care 

• Leveraging digital innovation 

Health centers can protect access and strengthen sustainability. 

OroMed remains committed to supporting health centers in building integrated, prevention-first care models that improve outcomes and reinforce financial resilience. OroMed’s mission is to seamlessly integrate oral health into medical care, recognizing oral health as essential to whole-person wellness. 

Book a complimentary demo to see how OroMed’s integrated preventive dental evaluations fit into your health center’s workflows. Our platform empowers medical teams to deliver early detection, real-time imaging, and coordinated referral, without adding staff, rooms, or cost. 

Let’s strengthen access together.

Book a complimentary demo