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Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Preparing the Future Dental Hygiene Workforce: Knowledge, Skills, and Reform.
Jacquelyn L Fried1, Hannah L Maxey2, Kathryn Battani2
1Prof. Fried is Associate Professor, Department of Advanced Oral Sciences and Therapeutics, and Director of Interprofessional Initiatives, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland; Dr. Maxey is Director, Bowen Center for Health Workforce Research, and Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Indiana University; Ms. Battani is Project Manager, Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Improvement Program, Office of Oral Health Prevention and Health Promotion Administration, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; Dr. Gurenlian is Professor and Graduate Program Director, Department of Dental Hygiene, Idaho State University; Ms. Byrd is CEO/Clinical Director for Health Promotion Specialists, Lexington, South Carolina; and Prof. Brunick is Professor and Chair, Department of Dental Hygiene, University of South Dakota. jfried@umaryland.edu.
Future dental hygienists will integrate oral health into primary medical care, requiring updated education. Curricula must evolve to prepare practitioners for team-based, community-focused roles by 2040.
Area of Science:
- Oral health care delivery
- Dental hygiene education
- Health services research
Background:
- The healthcare system is evolving, necessitating changes in oral healthcare delivery by 2040.
- Integration of oral health into primary medical care is proposed to improve access, quality, and population wellness.
- An integrated system can better serve a diverse and aging population with healthcare access disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine factors shaping the future of dental hygiene practice.
- To evaluate current dental hygiene curricula's strengths and weaknesses.
- To propose educational changes for dental hygienists practicing in 2040.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of trends in healthcare delivery and workforce distribution.
- Review of existing dental hygiene educational standards and curricula.
- Synthesis of findings to propose future educational models.
Main Results:
- Dental hygienists will increasingly work in multidisciplinary teams within medical and group practices, and non-traditional settings.
- A shift away from traditional solo dental practices is anticipated for dental hygienists.
- Current curricula require reevaluation and enhancement to meet future practice demands.
Conclusions:
- Dental hygiene education must adapt to prepare practitioners for integrated care models.
- Future dental hygienists need expanded skill sets for team-based and community-oriented practice.
- Educational reform is crucial for aligning dental hygiene training with the future healthcare landscape.
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