Dental Public Health Practice, Infrastructure, and Workforce in the United States

Dent Clin North Am. 2018 Apr;62(2):155-175. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2017.11.001.

Abstract

Dental public health is a unique specialty of dentistry that focuses on prevention of oral diseases among populations rather than individual patients. It encompasses several complementary disciplines and greatly varies in its functions and activities. Several federal, state, local, and nonpublic entities operationalize the mission of dental public health to improve population oral health through a diverse and vibrant workforce.

Keywords: Access to dental care; Alternative dental providers; Dental public health; Dental workforce.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dental Care / organization & administration
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Policy Making
  • Public Health Dentistry* / methods
  • Public Health Dentistry* / organization & administration
  • Stomatognathic Diseases / prevention & control
  • United States
  • United States Dept. of Health and Human Services / organization & administration
  • Workforce*