The HHS Health Resources and Services Administration recently awarded $1.6 million to the Nevada Medicaid program to help alleviate dental workforce shortages.
The money will be given over four years to help the program develop five initiatives meant to recruit providers and expand who can provide oral health services, according to a July 26 news release.
The five programs include dental assisting training and apprenticeship opportunities for high school students in rural counties, training for school nurses to provide oral health assessments and connect with dentists via teledentistry during emergencies, an initiative to foster interest among dental professionals and students in dental public health, establishing an Office of Oral Health Innovation, and launching a community-based dental clinic in Tonopah, Nev.
Work on these initiatives is scheduled to begin Sept. 1.