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The Impact of Title VII Dental Workforce Programs on Dentists' Practice Location: A Difference-in-Differences
Chiu-Fang Chou1, Jennifer S Holtzman, Shane Rogers
1C.-F. Chou is social scientist, National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland. J.S. Holtzman is dental officer, Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland. S. Rogers is chief, Oral Health Branch, Division of Medicine and Dentistry, Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Rockville, Maryland. C. Chen is associate professor, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding for dental training programs significantly increased the likelihood of dentists practicing in rural areas. This initiative improves oral healthcare access for underserved rural populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- Rural areas face significant challenges in accessing dental care.
- The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) provides funding for dental training programs.
- Understanding the impact of this funding on practice location is crucial for workforce planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of HRSA predoctoral (PD) and postdoctoral (PDD) funding on dentists' practice location in the United States.
- To determine if HRSA funding influences the distribution of dentists towards rural areas.
Main Methods:
- Linked HRSA funding data (2011-2015) with American Dental Association Masterfile data (2015).
- Utilized difference-in-differences analysis and logistic regressions to assess the association between PD/PDD funding and practice location (2004-2015).
- Adjusted for relevant covariates in the statistical models.
Main Results:
- Dentists graduating from institutions receiving PDD funding between 2011-2015 were more likely to practice rurally (OR=1.98).
- Both PD and PDD funding significantly increased the odds of dentists practicing in rural areas (OR=2.70 and OR=2.84, respectively).
- A substantial percentage of dentists graduated from institutions receiving HRSA PD (21.2%) and PDD (26.8%) funding.
Conclusions:
- HRSA oral health training program funding positively influences dentists' decisions to practice in rural locations.
- This funding contributes to improving oral healthcare access for vulnerable rural populations.
- HRSA funding is an effective strategy for addressing dental workforce shortages in underserved rural communities.