The Doctorate Debate: Is Dental Hygiene Ready for an Entry-Level Doctorate?

The ADHA has officially adopted policy supporting an entry-level doctorate degree for dental hygienists by 2032 — but what would that actually mean for the profession?In this episode of Scaling the Truth, Alicia takes a balanced deep dive into:the reasoning behind the doctorate movement,comparisons to the physical therapy model,expanded scope and professional recognition,workforce shortages,rural healthcare concerns,educational accessibility,and what this could mean for the future of dental hygiene in states like Tennessee.This is not a debate episode. It’s an honest conversation about where the profession is headed — and who could be impacted along the way.Listener submissions:Scaling the Truth Submission Form