Bill proposes dental therapists to extend care in Oregon House passes plan to create state-licensed occupation between hygienists and dentists. A new class of dental therapists, working under the supervision of dentists, would be able to provide basic services under a bill that is halfway through the Oregon Legislature. House Bill 2528 passed the House on a 38-17 vote Tuesday, April 27, and went to the Senate, where it may be further amended. Oregon has been searching for alternatives to dental care for a decade, since the 2011 Legislature authorized the Oregon Health Authority to start pilot projects. One such project started up in 2016, when the state agency allowed the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board to develop training of dental health aide therapists with the Alaska Dental Therapy Educational Program. The Alaska program, which started in 2004, also provided help for tribes in Washington, Idaho and Montana.