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Underserved region recruitment and return to practice: a thirty-year analysis.
Paul B Osborne1, James E Haubenreich
1Department of Oral Health Practice, Room D-630, College of Dentistry, University of Kentucky, Chandler Medical Center, Lexington, KY 40536-0297, USA. pbosbo2@uky.edu
Journal of Dental Education
|June 18, 2003
Summary
Fewer dentists are being recruited from and returning to underserved Appalachian regions in Kentucky. This trend highlights a critical need for dental schools to implement strategies for recruiting and retaining practitioners in these areas.
Area of Science:
- Dental Public Health
- Health Workforce Research
- Rural Health Disparities
Background:
- The Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky faces significant healthcare access challenges, particularly in dental services.
- A historical deficit of dental practitioners in underserved areas necessitates an examination of graduate trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (UKCD) graduates over 30 years.
- To determine the number of graduates from the Appalachian Region and their practice locations.
- To investigate recruitment and retention trends of dentists in underserved Eastern Kentucky.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of UKCD graduate records (1969, 1979, 1989, 1994-1999).
- Review of student county of origin data.
- Cross-referencing graduate practice locations with Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)-designated counties using the Kentucky Board of Dentistry database.
Main Results:
- A significant decline in the recruitment of dental students from the Appalachian Region was observed.
- A corresponding decrease in UKCD graduates establishing practices in ARC-designated counties was identified.
- The study indicates a concerning trend of fewer dentists serving underserved Eastern Kentucky.
Conclusions:
- Dental schools must enhance recruitment strategies for students from underserved regions like Appalachia.
- Proactive measures are needed to encourage and support graduates in establishing dental practices within these underserved areas.
- Addressing the decline in dental providers in Appalachian Kentucky requires targeted interventions and institutional commitment.