Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2025

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Relationship between Safety-net Oral Health Care Practices and Income among American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, and
Background:
American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), Black (B), and Hispanic/Latino (H/L) people are underrepresented in dentistry, yet disproportionately constitute the safety-net dental workforce. We examined the relationship between serving as safety-net providers (SNPs) and self-reported income.
Methods:
Using data from a 2012 national survey of AI/AN, B, and H/L dentists, we examined the relationship between being an SNP and income using linear regression, stratified by potential modifying factors.
Results:
In 2011, AI/AN, B, and H/L SNPs earned 82% of non-SNP income, even after considering traditional predictors of practice choice and income (race and educational debt), as well as practice trends (practice ownership and busyness).
Discussion:
Serving as a SNP may explain observed income differences between AI/AN, B, and H/L dentists and their non-SNP counterparts. Given that these dentists are more likely to practice in safety nets, practice choice may contribute to the observed racial income gap in dentistry.
Related Concept Videos
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin...
Surveys
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or...
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...

