Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 8, 2026

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov  

Michigan licenses first dental therapist to help
increase access to care; address workforce shortages
Ferris State University preparing to launch dental therapy program

LANSING, Mich. – As part of an effort by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to increase access to dental care for all Michigan residents, the state’s first dental therapist has been licensed and is practicing in the Upper Peninsula. Additionally, to increase the number of dental therapists in the state, MDHHS is assisting with the development of a dental therapy training program. 

Dental therapists are licensed providers trained to deliver routine dental care including exams, cleanings and fillings under a dentist’s supervision. Because they focus on a limited set of procedures, training is faster and more affordable than traditional dental school – three to six years compared to eight years. 

“Strengthening the state’s dental workforce is an important focus for the department,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Licensing Michigan’s first dental therapist is an important step in expanding access to care in underserved areas where there are limited providers.”  

Dental therapists can practice in traditional private offices and non-traditional settings such as schools, mobile clinics and community health centers. The profession has existed globally for more than 100 years and is authorized in at least 14 states. 

“I am proud to be the first dental therapist in Michigan because I have the opportunity every single day to show others how rewarding this career can be and the powerful impact a dental therapist can have on improving access to oral health care in underserved communities,” said Dana Obey, licensed dental therapist. “I hope my journey inspires others to join this profession. Becoming Michigan’s first dental therapist is more than a career milestone – it’s an opportunity to go above and beyond to provide a safe space where patients feel respected and heard. I’ve seen firsthand how, with the right support, tools and education, lasting lifestyle changes are possible.”  

While Michigan has 59.1 dentists per 100,000 people, they are not equally distributed throughout the state or representative of the populations they serve. More than 1.5 million residents live in federally designated dental shortage areas with limited access to care. This includes children and seniors, low-income families, pregnant women, people with disabilities and rural residents.  

Dental therapists are uniquely trained to serve these populations, helping to: 

• Reduce wait times. 
• Expand access cost effectively. 
• Ease pressure on existing providers. 
• Improve cultural and linguistic representation in care. 

Michigan established a licensure pathway for dental therapists in 2021. However, as no dental therapy programs are offered in the state, Michigan students have had to pursue their education in other states with the intention of returning to serve in Michigan communities. Currently, only five dental therapy programs exist nationally 

This is set to change as Ferris State University is developing Michigan’s first program, targeted to launch in the next couple years. MDHHS is assisting Ferris State with program development through a federal Health Resources and Services Administration oral health workforce grant. This includes $85,000 in funding to help the university hire a consultant to assist with curriculum design and accreditation through the Commission on Dental Accreditation.  

“The development of a Michigan dental therapy program is another way our state is working to ensure Michigan families can easily access care as oral health plays a critical role in overall health and well-being,” said Hertel. 

Learn more about dental therapy at MI Dental Access. 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 7, 2026

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov  

MDHHS expands On-the-Go food pantry to third location
to help address food insecurity in southeast Michigan
Monthly distribution sites offered in Hamtramck, Madison Heights and now Taylor    

LANSING, Mich. –The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has again expanded its On-the-Go pop-up food distribution events in partnership with Forgotten Harvest by adding a third distribution site in Taylor.

“We are offering these mobile food pantries at our local offices to help Michigan residents put food on the table for their families,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We appreciate the growing partnership with Forgotten Harvest as we work together to ensure access to healthy, nutritious food to those in need.”

On-the-Go pantries allow individuals to schedule appointments and select groceries from fresh produce to grains to proteins. Additionally, culturally appropriate food options are offered when available – such as halal and kosher-friendly items – when serving communities with specific dietary needs.

MDHHS plans to offer these mobile food pantries on a monthly basis at select MDHHS offices in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. To date, these events have served nearly 550 families and distributed more than 11 tons of groceries.

An event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the MDHHS office at 25637 Ecorse Road in Taylor. Food pantries will be offered at this location on the second Tuesday of each month. Individuals in Southeast Michigan in need of food must make an appointment by emailing MDHHS-FH-WC-Taylor@michigan.gov to help minimize wait times and ensure adequate food supplies.   

Other events in January include: 

• Tuesday, Jan. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MDHHS, 30755 Montpelier in Madison Heights. Food pantries will be offered at this location every third Tuesday of the month. Email MDHHS-FH-Oakland@michigan.gov for an appointment.   
• Tuesday, Jan. 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., MDHHS, 12140 Joseph Campau St. in Hamtramck. Food pantries will be offered at this location every fourth Tuesday of each month. Email MDHHS-FH-WC-Hamtramck@michigan.gov for an appointment.  

Forgotten Harvest, Michigan’s largest food rescue organization, has more than 65 permanent mobile pantry partners throughout southeast Michigan in addition to the On-the-Go mobile pantries. To locate a food pantry, visit Forgotten Harvest’s website. Appointments to shop at Forgotten Harvest’s Community Choice Market in Oak Park can be made by calling 248-268-7756.

To find additional resources:   

• Dial 211 or visit Michigan 211 for free, confidential assistance and referrals to local food programs and support services.   
• Visit the Food Bank Council of Michigan to locate nearby food banks and learn about additional hunger relief efforts.   
• Explore MI Bridges to learn more about SNAP, which offers temporary food assistance to eligible families.   

  Additionally, the Executive Office of the Governor and state departments have helped Michigan residents feed their families by:  

• Providing $4.5 million to the Food Bank Council of Michigan so they can continue feeding families in all 83 counties and deliver food to those who are unable to drive.  
• Supporting Hunters Feeding Michigan, a program that helps Michiganders get venison or other fresh game to feed their families. 
• Continuing to feed all 1.4 million public school students free breakfast and lunch. 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 6, 2026

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@michigan.gov   

MDHHS issues statement about federal
changes to childhood vaccine schedule 

LANSING, Mich. – Following updates to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule made today by Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill, in his role as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the following statement:

“For decades, vaccines have played a critical role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases and significant reductions in childhood illnesses and fatalities.

On Thursday, Dec. 18, Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian issued a Standing Recommendation advising health care providers and families to follow the child and adolescent immunization schedule produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). We continue to stand by that recommendation.”

The underlying scientific evidence remains unchanged and continues to support the full AAP and AAFP vaccination schedules for children. Families should still be able to access the full range of childhood immunizations as recommended by the AAP and AAFP to protect their children from serious diseases.

All vaccines, including those moved to shared clinical decision-making, remain covered with no out-of-pocket cost by Affordable Care Act-regulated private insurance plans and federal coverage programs such as Medicaid and the Vaccines for Children program, as HHS affirmed in its announcement.

Bagdasarian noted that the changes announced today may create confusion for families and clinicians regarding school vaccine requirements, clinical workflows and the supply and use of combination vaccines.

“MDHHS will continue to provide clear guidance, backed by science to help protect Michigan families,” Bagdasarian said.