Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108438

Arif Ahmed, BDS, PhD, MSPH¹, Michael D. McCunniff, DDS, MS², Moncy Mathew, BDS, MPH², and Barry S. Daneman, MA². (1) Cookingham Institute of Public Affairs, University of Missouri - Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Road, Kansas City, MO 64110, (816)235-2319, ahmedar@umkc.edu, (2) School of Dentistry, University of Missouri - Kansas City, 650 E 25th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108

The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health recognizes the “profound and consequential” disparities in oral health of our citizens. Ironically, preventable dental diseases are responsible for major share of these disparities. Access to preventive dental care can significantly reduce disparities. Availability of adequate workforce is one of the key determinants of access. In this paper, we describe the process of developing a state dental workforce planning model. We received a contract from the State of Missouri to prepare a model capable of projecting dental workforce needs for delivering preventive dental services with “ideal” periodicity for the population in any defined geographical area based on population and environmental characteristics. The model is based on the premise that everyone needs at least one preventive dental visit per year. Upward adjustments were made to the minimum number of visits required based on various demographic, social, and environmental factors and co-morbidities. Adjustment indices were developed using a multi-stage process. At the initial stage, indices were developed from various available dental morbidity and utilization data. The indices were then modified using published literature on special needs, particularly for certain co-morbidities. In the final stage, Delphi process was used to fine tune the indices with expert judgments from clinical experts and stakeholders. Workforce needs projections were done by applying the indices to current dental workforce productivity data and area population and environmental characteristics. This paper highlights various methodological and practical challenges in developing the model and the market and policy implications of using such model.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participants will be able to

• Identify the challenges and issues in defining “ideal” periodicity of preventive dental visits.
• Describe the data needs for developing a population based workforce planning model.
• Discuss market implications of using a model based on “ideal” periodicity of preventive dental visits.
• Discuss policy implications of using a model based on “ideal” periodicity of preventive dental visits.

Keywords: Oral Health Needs, Workforce

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation