Development of dental public health competencies for pre-doctoral dental and dental hygiene programs

Minorities, people with low socioeconomic status, and other vulnerable populations suffer with oral health disparities as evidenced by higher level of dental caries, periodontal disease and related health problems due to unhealthy behaviors, lack of knowledge of oral health, and inability to access health services. To train a competent oral health workforce consisting of dentists and dental hygienists that will be better prepared to meet the needs of the entire population, including those groups who are chronically underserved, experiencing high levels of oral health needs, those who have poor health literacy, and those facing barriers to accessing oral health care, a set of dental public health competencies and curriculum have been developed through this Health and Health Resources and Services Administration funded project.