Analysis of federal support for postgraduate general dentistry

We compared the funding granted by the federal government between 1985 and 1997 to stimulate the growth of AEGD and GPR programs across HRSA regions, states, and populations. Information regarding the number, size, and location of programs available during the time period of 1985 to 1997 was collected. During this period, although the number of programs remained constant, the composition of the programs changed, with AEGD programs increasing by 113 percent and GPR programs decreasing by 13 percent. HRSA Regions 2, 3, and 5 combined offered over 50 percent of all programs. The number of residency positions rose by 28 percent in civilian programs and dropped by 11 percent in Veterans and Military (VA/M) positions. Overall growth in AEGD positions increased 208 percent, while the civilian GPR positions remained constant and the number of VA/M GPR positions dropped by 30 percent. A higher percentage increase in programs occurred in cities of greater than 500,000 population than in less densely populated areas. HRSA spent dollar 41,254,501 in the thirteen-year time frame, and funding by region varied by over a hundredfold. Programs in the least dense population groups were often the least funded. There was great variability in the amount of HRSA money received by state, with fifteen states receiving no funding during the thirteen years. Without HRSA dollars, it is apparent that the postgraduate general dental training program would not have gained the vitality it currently offers. However, attention must be paid to developing programs among states with a lack of infrastructure in dental education and training.