What's Happening?
Delta Dental has published a new white paper titled 'The Pathway Effect: A Guide to Strengthening the Oral Health Workforce Through Early Exposure Programs.' The report addresses the critical shortage of dental health professionals in the U.S., with over
24 million Americans living in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. The white paper outlines strategies to build a more inclusive workforce by increasing early exposure to oral health careers, which has been shown to boost student interest and confidence. The Delta Dental Future Workforce Fund, which has reached over 71,000 individuals since 2023, serves as a model for these initiatives. The report emphasizes the need for sustainable workforce programs, multi-year funding, and industry-wide collaboration.
Why It's Important?
The shortage of dental health professionals poses significant challenges to ensuring equitable access to oral health care across the U.S. By focusing on early exposure programs, Delta Dental aims to address workforce gaps and promote diversity within the profession. The strategies outlined in the white paper could serve as a blueprint for other sectors facing similar workforce shortages. The initiative highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration and investment in future generations to build sustainable career pathways and improve public health outcomes.
What's Next?
Delta Dental is calling on funders, educators, practitioners, and community leaders to collaborate in building scalable pathways into oral health careers. The organization plans to continue its efforts through the Delta Dental Future Workforce Fund and encourages other stakeholders to adopt similar approaches. The success of these initiatives could lead to broader adoption of early exposure programs in other healthcare fields, potentially influencing policy decisions and funding allocations at the national level.
