Between 2010 and 2016, the proportion of women working in dentistry increased from 24.5% to 29.8%. Overall, female dentists were more racially/ethnically diverse, more likely to be foreign-trained, and more likely to work in pediatric dentistry than male dentists. Gender diversification in dentistry and other factors, including generational differences and changes in public policy, continue…
Due to the dangers of the opioid crisis, it is more important than ever that health providers are adequately educated about best practices for pain management, such as appropriate prescribing habits and screening for substance use disorders. While previous studies have addressed the educational curriculum about pain management in medical schools, the literature on similar…
The Oral Health Workforce Research Center (OHWRC) completed a study to evaluate the attitudes and willingness of general and specialty dentists to treat people with special needs and to identify the barriers to greater participation by dentists in the care of these patients. The research project was a collaboration with the Health Policy Institute at…
Despite efforts to improve access to oral health services in the US, oral health disparities persist for many vulnerable population groups, including children. Children are especially vulnerable to not receiving health or oral health services because they are dependent on others to arrange appointments and provide transportation to services. Researchers at the OHWRC collaborated with…
The scope of practice for dental hygienists has rapidly expanded and evolved over the past decade. These changes have brought about new career growth opportunities for providers and have improved access to care for patients. This article explores some of the most important changes in scope of practice for dental hygienists and how these changes…
Prior research has confirmed increasing gender diversity in dental education programs and dental workforce. While there is discussion that the increasing gender diversity in dentistry will affect practice models, work hours, and the availability of specialty dentists or dentists in less populated areas, there is limited research that describes variation in characteristics of dental practice…
Incorporating the consumer perspective on access to oral health services is important in the design of public policy and programming to improve the oral health status of the population. The Oral Health Workforce Research Center (OHWRC) collaborated with the Workforce Studies team at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) to conduct a survey of…
There is growing recognition of the relationship between mental illness and behavioral health disorders with oral and physical health status. Safety net provider organizations are key to providing integrated care for many of their patients with mental health or substance use disorders. The Oral Health Workforce Research Center conducted 6 case studies of Federally Qualified…
This report summarizes trends in the direct provision of oral health services by federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) over recent years and factors that predict the likelihood of an FQHC providing direct general and/or specialty oral health services. The analyses use both current and historical data to describe existing oral health service capacity in FQHCs…
Dental hygiene scope of practice regulation significantly impacts oral health outcomes in state populations. A numerical scope of practice scale for dental hygienists, called the Dental Hygiene Professional Practice Index (DHPPI), scored numerous variables relevant to dental hygiene practice, including the regulatory environment, tasks permitted, levels of required supervision by setting, and reimbursement for services….
