Dental public health post‐graduate trainees in the US: Experiences, challenges, and opportunities—A qualitative study

Abstract

Objectives The goal of this study was to explore challenges and opportunities that dental public health (DPH) residents and recent graduates experienced during and after their residency training programs in the US. Methods In this qualitative study, to recruit participants, study invitations were distributed to 93 DPH postgraduate trainees via social media, email, and an online DPH nationwide course in 2019. Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews were conducted through Zoom audioconference. The interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. The audio‐recorded interviews were transcribed and crosschecked to ensure accuracy. The interviews were coded using grounded theory. A qualitative analysis software (ATLAS.ti 8.0) was used to facilitate coding and organizing data extraction from transcripts. Results Eighteen DPH postgraduate trainees from 12 DPH residency programs participated and completed the interview. DPH trainees had experienced educational and financial challenges, difficulty finding DPH‐related jobs after graduation, and a complex board examination preparation process. Conclusion DPH postgraduate trainees and especially foreign‐trained dentists experienced serious challenges during and after their postgraduate residency programs. Opportunities exist to enhance the strength of DPH programs to build a competent DPH workforce.

Competencies for dental public health specialists: A thematic analysis

“…A focus on policy and advocacy to improve the position of DPH seems to be neglected in a large number of countries 51 . Under such circumstances, many DPH graduates have difficulty finding suitable employment positions 59,60 . Being able to “raise stakeholders' awareness” about the prevention and burden of oral diseases combined with the role of DPH professionals may help strengthen the link between health policy, practice, and research 61 …”

“…A recent qualitative survey of DPH graduates recommended the provision of a clinical component in the curriculum of DPH residents. This is expected to impact positively on the development of oral health promotion programmes in the field 60 . Similarly, ADEE suggested that embedding a clinical component within doctorate programmes would be highly desirable 62 .…”

“…51 Under such circumstances, many DPH graduates have difficulty finding suitable employment positions. 59,60 Being able to "raise stakeholders' awareness" about the prevention and burden of oral diseases combined with the role of DPH professionals may help strengthen the link between health policy, practice, and research. 61 The present study noticed the absence of clinical skills as a necessary competency for the DPH professionals.…”

“…This is expected to impact positively on the development of oral health promotion programmes in the field. 60 Similarly, ADEE suggested that embedding a clinical component within doctorate programmes would be highly desirable. 62 Details on training modalities of clinical content should be discussed in further studies.…”

A 12-year follow up of principles learned in a pediatric dentistry Master of Public Health dual degree program applied to professional practice

“…As of 2019, there were 29 dual degree programs in the United States and Canada that offered a Master of Public Health (MPH) along with a dental degree ( 13 ), and as of 2020 15 Dental Public Health (DPH) residency programs had been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) ( 14 ). DPH is a specialty recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA) which supports their vision and mission of improving oral health for the population at large ( 15 ). Most of the DPH programs require having an MPH degree or its equivalent; however, there are a few dual-degree programs that offer MPH degrees as part of their DPH programs.…”