The Dental Public Health Workforce: Employer Expectations and Future Directions

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Health Workforce Education
• Oral Health Equity

Background:

• Employer expectations in dental public health (DPH) are shifting.
• Current DPH training programs may not fully align with evolving workforce demands.
• Identifying gaps is crucial for improving DPH education and practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine employer expectations in the DPH profession.
• To evaluate the alignment of DPH training programs with workforce demands.
• To identify critical gaps and opportunities for DPH program improvement.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of 102 DPH job postings (≤5 years experience).
• Job postings were sourced from multiple platforms (LinkedIn, Indeed, USA Jobs, etc.).
• Position domains, descriptions, and qualifications were systematically categorized.

Main Results:

• Community-based clinical and academia were the most common job domains.
• Leadership, healthcare administration, and clinical experience were highly preferred skills.
• A significant percentage of DPH positions, even non-clinical ones, referenced or required clinical experience.

Conclusions:

• There is an increasing demand for clinical experience in DPH roles, indicating a trend toward integrated practice.
• A disconnect exists between DPH training and market needs, necessitating curriculum adjustments.
• Incorporating clinical training and leadership development, potentially via an integrated residency model, can enhance graduate preparedness and impact.