Tracking workforce diversity in dentistry: importance, methods, and challenges

Abstract

Objective The objective of this paper is to describe sources of data on underrepresented minority (URM) dental providers and to perform a structured critique of primary survey research on African American (AA), Hispanic/Latino (HL) and American-Indian/Alaska-Native (AI/AN) dentists. Methods A national sample survey was conducted between October 2012 to March 2013, and secondary datasets were assessed for comparability. The survey used 21 sampling frames, with censuses of AI/AN and non-urban dentists, and assessed demographics, education, practice history, patient population, volunteerism, experiences with discrimination, and opinions on issues in dentistry. The survey was developed with constituent input, pilot-tested, and distributed online and through US Mail with three reminder postcards, phone, and email follow-up. Continuing education credit and entry to a prize drawing were provided for participation. Results Existing data sources cannot answer critical research questions about URM dentists. Using best practices, the survey received a 34% adjusted response rate. Selection likelihood and measurable response bias were adjusted for using base and post-stratification weights. Conclusions The survey design was consistent with best practices, and our response analytics provide high confidence that the survey produced data representative of the URM dentist population. Enhanced study design, content, and response rates of existing survey efforts would be needed to provide a more robust body of knowledge on URM providers, perspectives, and practices.

Underrepresented Minority Dentists: Quantifying Their Numbers And Characterizing The Communities They Serve

“…Comprehensive details on the survey methodology, response rate, and response quality have been reported previously. [22]…”

Foreign-Trained Dentists in the United States: Challenges and Opportunities

“…After title and abstract screening, 29 publications that did not answer the focused question or were duplicates were excluded. In total 18 articles were sought, including nine articles [ 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ] discussing workforce diversity in dentistry ( Table 1 ); and nine articles [ 1 , 2 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ] discussing licensing process for foreign-trained dentists ( Table 2 ).…”

“…Opening the U.S. dental profession to foreign-trained dentists provides several advantages. For example, foreign-trained dentists increase the diversity of dentists in the U.S., expand access to underrepresented communities, and enhance the expertise of the profession [ 7 , 19 , 22 , 33 ].…”

“…Disparity between the proportions of African Americans, Hispanics and American Indians in the general U.S. population and the nation’s dental profession, has been extensively reported in the literature [ 7 , 19 ]. These minority groups represent approximately 30% of U.S. population; however, only comprise 6% of the dental workforce [ 15 , 17 ].…”

“…Licensure of foreign trained dentists created a debate in U.S. dentistry, raising concerns in globalization, diverse workforce and access to care issues. Supporters of a diverse dental workforce highlight the importance of foreign-trained dentists, valuing provider diversity and arguing increased access to care for underserved populations [ 7 ]. On the other hand, concerns have been raised in terms of patient safety and assurance of provider competence [ 8 ].…”