Increasing representation could improve workforce issues

While dentistry and medicine are both experiencing workforce shortages, some areas of the health care sector have seen a labor rebound while employment at dental offices remains down, according to preliminary federal data.

To help increase recruitment, dentists have adjusted working hours, added retirement plans and health insurance, and offered sign-on bonuses and paid time off.

Steve Pollock, president of dental at Sun Life U.S., says addressing long-standing gaps in racial and gender representation in the workforce could also help with shortages, as well as access to care.

“Diversifying and growing our dental workforce starts with focusing on our young people,” he said. “Most people decide to go into a dental profession during or even before high school, yet students in many underserved communities rarely have the opportunity to learn about or experience these career paths, let alone see people who look like themselves reflected in the workforce.”


Read more: Stat

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