Indiana's New Foreign-Trained Dentist Hygiene Opportunity

Indiana's New Foreign-Trained Dentist Hygiene Opportunity | Expanding Access to Dental Care

At LADD Dental Group, our mission has always been simple: Family Serving Families. That's why we're excited about a new Indiana law that will help improve access to dental care for communities across the state of Indiana.

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana has created a new pathway for internationally trained dentists to become licensed dental hygienists. Rather than requiring these highly educated professionals to complete an entirely new dental hygiene degree, Indiana now recognizes their previous dental education while still requiring them to meet rigorous licensing standards, including credential evaluation, national board examinations, clinical testing, and all state licensing requirements.

Why does this matter?

Like many states across the country, Indiana has experienced a shortage of dental hygienists over the past several years. Preventive care is the foundation of lifelong oral health, yet staffing shortages have sometimes made it difficult for patients to schedule routine cleanings and periodontal maintenance as quickly as they would like.

This new program helps bring more qualified clinicians into the workforce while maintaining Indiana's high standards for patient care.

What this means for our patients

At LADD Dental Group, we're excited because this legislation helps us continue delivering the exceptional care our communities deserve.

For our patients, the benefits may include:

More available hygiene appointments
Shorter wait times
Improved access to preventive dental care
Greater support for our growing communities throughout North Central Indiana
Continued high-quality care delivered by licensed professionals who have demonstrated their clinical knowledge and skills

Investing in our communities

As a family-owned dental group that has proudly served Indiana families for nearly five decades, we know that access to preventive dental care leads to healthier smiles, healthier families, and healthier communities.

Indiana's new pathway recognizes the valuable education and experience of internationally trained dentists while maintaining the rigorous standards patients expect and deserve.

We're excited about what this means for the future of dentistry in Indiana and, most importantly, for the families we have the privilege of serving every day.

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