Future-Proofing the Oral Health Workforce: Evidence From Four Low- and Middle-Income Countries on Training Needs in...

The dental public health workforce in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) faces challenges including limited resources, a shortage of personnel, uneven distribution, and inadequate training opportunities. Obsolete educational frameworks and regulatory barriers exacerbate the problem further. A training needs assessment (TNA) is a crucial exercise to identify gaps in the current training landscape before instituting any capacity-building initiatives.

This study aims to identify existing postgraduate and short-course training opportunities in dental public health, assess gaps and barriers, and determine priority competency areas among four LMICs (India, Colombia, Brazil, and Kenya).

Following consultations with relevant stakeholders, a structured, theme-based tool for TNA was developed. The data were collected in each country through online and offline searches as deemed appropriate. Data from each theme were analyzed, and a comparative analysis by country was prepared.

Across participant countries, postgraduate dental public health training opportunities varied considerably, with differences in program availability and accessibility. The availability of short courses was inconsistent, highlighting gaps in professional development opportunities. Key training priorities identified were qualitative research methods, community engagement, health advocacy and policy, health economics, academic publishing, grant proposal preparation, health promotion, and epidemiology. Barriers to further training included costs, limited postgraduate opportunities, and regional disparities.

This research highlighted significant gaps in dental public health workforce training across four LMICs, underscoring the need for a more equitable distribution of training resources, competency-based education, and an innovative workforce model that fosters strong interdisciplinary collaboration. Strengthening south-south collaboration, improving working opportunities and conditions, and expanding awareness of non-clinical career pathways are essential for building a resilient and impactful workforce in these countries.