CORRECTIONS: Michigan is one of 14 states, and therapists must pass comprehensive exams for licensure. (Feb. 24, 11:30 MST)

Experts agree that proper dental care is an important part of a person's overall health, but a chronic shortage of dentists makes some parts of Michigan "dental deserts."

Studies show that dentists are especially scarce in rural areas and marginalized urban neighborhoods, but many providers are turning to dental therapists to provide coverage where needed.

Dr. Michele Bloxson is dental director for The Wellness Plan Medical Centers, a group of Michigan-based healthcare clinics. She says dental therapists are licensed to perform primary preventive dental care and some basic restorative procedures.

"Just like when you have a medical provider in the medical field, you have a PA," she said, referring to Physician Assistants. "A dental therapist is an additional provider in the dental field, to provide services to those patients that are not able to receive care."

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, nearly 61 million people in the United States live in dental-shortage areas. For individuals without access to a dentist, dental insurance, or money to pay for this type of care, Bloxson said dental therapists are a good alternative.

Michigan has had a pathway to license dental therapists since in 2021. According to the American Dental Therapy Association, it is one of about 14 states that has legislation supporting the profession.

The Michigan Dental Association has said a majority of rural dentists are nearing retirement age. There's an opportunity there, adds Misty Davis, RDH, Oral Health Program Manager at the Michigan Primary Care Association.

"Foundationally, the intent of dental therapy is to grow providers from the communities they will be serving. If Michigan education institutions align with this, we can strengthen our oral health workforce in the areas of diversity and cultural competence."

Bloxson said people in immigrant, Black or Latino communities are often more comfortable with a caregiver who looks like them.

"If you have a dental therapist to provide some of those adjunct services, it will benefit those areas as well," she said. "Patients that, when they go to clinics, they want to have someone that represents their ethnicity or someone that speaks their language."

Bloxson said training programs for dental therapists generally take two to three years to complete, and a growing number of U.S. colleges are adding it to their health-care curriculum. Graduates must pass a comprehensive licensing exam to receive a license to practice. Michigan colleges and universities are currently exploring program development. Until a program in operation in Michigan, aspiring dental therapists may pursue education in Alaska, Washington, or Minnesota and return to Michigan to practice.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

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New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.

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The California State Assembly is considering a bill to require schools to have a cardiac arrest response plan. Assembly Bill 2887 would make sure schools update their safety plans to include CPR training and an automatic external defibrillator or AED onsite.

Dr. Stephen Sanko, a professor of clinical emergency medicine at USC, and a founding member of the Cardiac Arrest Survivor Alliance, is a volunteer expert for the American Heart Association. He said having a plan in place is critical.

"The American Heart Association is promoting that schools have a cardiac arrest response plan. A written protocol for what to do in order to decrease the likelihood that if somebody collapses, that they die," he said.

Two years ago, 15-year-old Cash Hennessy collapsed on the football field due to a previously unknown heart defect. Two off-duty medics in the stands gave him CPR. The school brought out its AED - but it was useless, because the batteries were dead.

Hennessy said the experience was traumatic.

"I feel blessed that I had people there for me, that could give me C-P-R. But I think about if those people weren't there and that was another kid, who knows what would have happened? Because there wouldn't have been an AED to save them," he explained.

An AED walks people through the steps to deliver a life-saving shock to a person's heart until an ambulance arrives. Studies show that 70% of kids who suffer sudden cardiac arrest at school recover if an AED is deployed correctly - whereas the survival rate for kids and adults not in the hospital is less than 12%.

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