Updates from the Health Department’s Office of Oral Health – 3/9/2026

At the Health Department, we’re committed to health equity. Our vision is a Vermont where everyone has the chance to enjoy good health—and that includes good oral health. The Office of Oral Health (OOH) helps make this vision a reality by supporting community water fluoridation, school dental programs, and oral health surveillance. We’re also working to improve access to care, grow and support the dental workforce, connect medical and dental care, and strengthen systems that support oral health across the state. Here are some updates from the Office of Oral Health:

• Strengthening Vermont’s Dental Workforce Pipeline: The Vermont Department of Health, along with parters at AHEC (Area Health Education Center) and VTSU (Vermont State University) are developing an initiative to pair VTSU DH (dental hygiene) students with high school students in a five-week virtual near-peer mentorship designed to build oral health knowledge and spark early interest in dental careers – an essential step in strengthening Vermont’s future dental workforce. Under this model, students will receive training, a structured curriculum, and ongoing support, while DH students gain mentoring and communication experience that also fulfills their community service requirement. With strong partner enthusiasm, published evidence supporting this approach, and a planned fall launch, this effort shows real promise for helping grow the state’s dental workforce pipeline. More details to come as planning continues.

• VT Dental Team: An Overview of Vermont’s Dental Workforce: This new Vermont Dental Team overview provides a streamlined, easy-to-reference snapshot of each role on the dental team, including training pathways, scope of practice, and how each provider fits within Vermont’s care system. It’s designed to support planning, education, and policy conversations by clarifying who can do what across clinical and community settings. The resource also highlights key workforce considerations such as the essential roles of hygienists and public health hygienists, the added capacity from assistants and EFDAs (Expanded Functions Dental Assistants), opportunities for minimally invasive care, and current limits in the dental therapy pipeline. The goal is to strengthen shared understanding and support ongoing workforce efforts.

• Oral Health Survey of Vermont Children: Plans are underway to update the 22-23 Keep Smiling Vermont Oral Health Survey. This survey assesses the oral health status of Vermont children every three to five years. A representative sample of over 1,700 kindergarten and third grade children were screened in 2022-2023. The results showed that over 40% of children experience tooth decay and about 1 in 4 children need dental care. Results also confirmed that socioeconomic status has a significant impact on a child’s oral health; socioeconomic status disparities were found for decay experience, presence of untreated decay, dental care needs, and mean numbers of teeth with decay experience. A sample of 35 schools has been established for the 26-27 survey, and we’re working with the Agency of Education and VT Principals’ Association to send invitations.

Health equity can only be achieved when public health, private practice, and our communities work together. Thank you for your continued partnership in advancing oral health for all Vermonters.

Robin Miller, RDH, MPH
Oral Health Director, Vermont Department of Health
Robin.n.miller@vermont.gov