Optimizing Recruitment and Retention of Oral Health Providers in Safety-Net Settings

Session Description: Dental safety-net clinics continue to report challenges in recruiting and retaining oral health providers. In 2023, National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) conducted a national survey of oral health team members working in the safety-net to better understand and inform the oral health workforce climate. The survey received nearly 900 responses including over 500 dentists, dental hygienists, and dental leaders. The survey identifies elements that contribute to job satisfaction, facilitators to retaining dental providers, and current salary and benefit trends. This session will review the findings from the survey, including statistical analyses of the survey results. The session will also describe recommendations, promising practices, and strategies to enhance recruitment and retention of oral health providers working in community health settings.