Expanding

The Eastern Shore of Maryland is a rural area whose population experiences health challenges similar to rural areas nationally: fewer oral health professionals; higher rates of total tooth loss; lower rates of dental visits; larger Medicaid populations; and a struggling economy. The oral health workforce shortage is acute on the Eastern Shore, where almost no private providers see the un- and underinsured and children have the highest rate of untreated dental decay in Maryland.

Key to addressing workforce shortages is for rural communities to “grow-your-own” by establishing programs to prepare and encourage community members to enter the health professions, as they are more likely to return or remain in the area after graduation. Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) aim to recruit and retain providers in rural/underserved communities. The Eastern Shore AHEC undertook a program to address both expanding services and the health workforce, after the closing of a local manufacturing plant which resulted in the loss of 1,276 jobs. The AHEC provided health services and healthcare provider training support to the terminated workers. The program provided listings of health resources, health fairs, oral screenings, career counseling, and education support for those who chose a health career. 325 employees participated in health events, 150 participated in health career counseling, and 161 (13%) trained for careers in healthcare. The AHEC provided support on topics such as study skills, mentoring, employment, interviewing, and stress management. The program successfully provided employment opportunities for the terminated workers, while growing the critically-needed workforce in the community.