Holding up the oral health safety net: the role of National Health Service Corps alumni dentists in North Carolina

Bhatavadekar, Neel; Rozier, R. Gary; Konrad, Thomas R.

doi:10.1111/j.1875-595x.2011.00030.x

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…In most countries, access to oral care is limited in rural communities. For instance, in the USA alone, it is estimated that 25% of adults do not visit a dentist, either because of the limited availability of dentists or cost.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, in the USA alone, it is estimated that 25% of adults do not visit a dentist, either because of the limited availability of dentists or cost. This problem becomes exaggerated in a rural setting. According to the World Health Organization, inadequacy of oral health‐care services, coupled with factors such as low income and lack of education in the rural population, add to the challenges in rendering appropriate dental care.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of clinical periodontal status among habitual smokeless-tobacco users and cigarette smokers

Kulkarni

Uttamani

Bhatavadekar

2016

International Dental Journal

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Within the limits of the study, and for this study population, the impact on the periodontium as a result of smokeless tobacco use appeared to be comparable with that of smoking tobacco. The results of this study affirm the need to consider smokeless tobacco as a possible contributory factor to periodontal disease, in addition to smoking, and to counsel patients accordingly. Further randomised clinical trials are necessary to validate the long-term impact of smokeless tobacco on periodontal disease.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of clinical periodontal status among habitual smokeless-tobacco users and cigarette smokers

Kulkarni

Uttamani

Bhatavadekar

2016

International Dental Journal

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“…Expanding the NHSC program could help to improve access to care for populations living in underserved areas. A prior study observed that NHSC alumni were more likely to work in safety net practices (84% vs 23%) and to treat more publicly insured patients (60% vs 19%) . Evidence suggests that an increased supply of dentists would substantially improve oral health outcomes, including a decrease in the incidence of both tooth decay and bleeding gums …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A prior study observed that NHSC alumni were more likely to work in safety net practices (84% vs 23%) and to treat more publicly insured patients (60% vs 19%). 15 Evidence suggests that an increased supply of dentists would substantially improve oral health outcomes, including a decrease in the incidence of both tooth decay and bleeding gums. 16 We constructed and validated a microsimulation model to evaluate how changes in the NHSC program would be expected to affect dental utilization and the risk of the dental caries (tooth decay) based on observational, clinical, and epidemiologic data from the peer-reviewed literature.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost-effectiveness of Dental Workforce Expansion Through the National Health Service Corps and Its Association With Oral Health Outcomes Among US Children

Choi

Ye²,

Wright

2023

JAMA Health Forum

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ImportanceDespite considerable efforts to improve oral health for all, large disparities remain among US children. A dental professional shortage is thought to be among the determinants associated with oral health disparities, particularly for those residing in underserved communities.ObjectiveTo evaluate the cost-effectiveness of expanding the dental workforce through the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and associations with oral health outcomes among US children.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to estimate changes in total costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) produced by increasing the NHSC funding for dental practitioners by 5% to 30% during a 10-year period. A microsimulation model of oral health outcomes using a decision analytic framework was constructed based on oral health and dental care utilization data of US children from 0 to 19 years old. Data from the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2011-2016) were linked to county-level dentist supply and oral health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) information. Changes in prevalence and cumulative incidence of dental caries were also estimated. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of results to variation in model input parameters. Data analysis was conducted from August 1, 2021, to November 1, 2022.ExposuresExpanding dental workforce through the NHSC program.Main Outcomes and MeasuresChanges in total QALYs, costs, and dental caries prevalence and cumulative incidence.ResultsThis simulation model informed by NHANES data of 10 780 participants (mean [SD] age, 9.6 [0.1] years; 5326 [48.8%] female; 3337 [weighted percentage, 57.9%] non-Hispanic White individuals) found that when funding for the NHSC program increased by 10%, dental caries prevalence and total number of decayed teeth were estimated to decrease by 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82-1.00) percentage points and by 0.70 (95% CI, 0.62-0.79) million cases, respectively. When funding for the NHSC program increased between 5% and 30%, the estimated decreases in number of decayed teeth ranged from 0.35 (95% CI, 0.27-0.44) to 2.11 (95% CI, 2.03-2.20) million cases, total QALY gains ranged from 75.76 (95% CI, 59.44-92.08) to 450.50 (95% CI, 434.30-466.69) thousand QALYs, and total cost savings ranged from $105.53 (95% CI, $70.14-$140.83) to $508.23 (95% CI, $598.91-$669.22) million among children residing in dental HPSAs from a health care perspective. Benefits of the intervention accrued most substantially among Hispanic children and children in low-income households.Conclusions and RelevanceThis cost-effectiveness analysis using a decision analytic model suggests that expanding the dental workforce through the NHSC program would be associated with cost savings and a reduced risk of dental caries among children living in HPSAs.

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Overall Work and Practice Satisfaction of Licensed Clinical Social Workers in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

Yun¹,

Zerden²,

Cuddeback³

et al. 2021

Health &Amp; Social Work

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Little is known about the job satisfaction of licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) participating in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) federal Loan Repayment Program (LRP). Employee satisfaction in organizations is important for organizational well-being and to decrease turnover. A satisfied NHSC LCSW workforce is also important given the array of services it provides, especially in rural and underserved areas. This study examined the work satisfaction of 386 LCSWs participating in the NHSC LRP in 21 states. Rural upbringing, being older than 40 years, and a higher salary were significantly associated with overall work and practice satisfaction. In addition, satisfaction with administration, staff and the practices’ linkages to other health providers, the mission of the practice, and connection with patients were strongly associated with overall work and practice satisfaction. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the work and practice satisfaction of LCSWs participating in the NHSC LRP, and our findings have the potential to inform the NHSC’s strategies in managing and retaining LCSWs.

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Holding up the oral health safety net: the role of National Health Service Corps alumni dentists in North Carolina

Cited by 3 publications

References 14 publications

Comparison of clinical periodontal status among habitual smokeless-tobacco users and cigarette smokers

Comparison of clinical periodontal status among habitual smokeless-tobacco users and cigarette smokers

Cost-effectiveness of Dental Workforce Expansion Through the National Health Service Corps and Its Association With Oral Health Outcomes Among US Children

Overall Work and Practice Satisfaction of Licensed Clinical Social Workers in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program

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