Executive Director The American Institute of Dental Public Health
Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Annaliese Cothron, DHSc, MS, CPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Stacey Chazin, MPH: Disclosure information not submitted.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Public health professionals are often in places of leadership, a critical need made even clearer in a COVID-impacted environment. Evidence from the Public Health Leadership Competencies Project establishes the need for effective communication, evidence-based decision-making, and strong collaboration. While some research exists supporting leadership competencies needed for public health professionals to be effective leaders, these competencies have not been assessed within dental public health, leaving a clear knowledge gap.
METHODS: The American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) disseminated a survey to oral health professionals, targeting dental residents, residency directors, established public health professionals, educators, nonprofit professionals, and researchers. This needs assessment explored the leadership development needs, preferences, and experiences of respondents, as well as their views on the leadership competencies most critical to the dental public health profession. ..
RESULTS: Survey responses highlight differences in desired leadership skills based on professional career focus. Increased leadership development both formal and informal in nature is needed within the oral health community. Responses identified a variety of skills both in public health and general leadership as necessary for effective leadership in dental public health.
CONCLUSION: Building from the results of the survey, programming should be developed to support the emerging needs of oral health professionals at all stages of leadership. Mixing profession-specific topics (e.g., medical-dental integration) with general leadership topics (e.g., communications and systems thinking) is key to equipping future oral health leaders.
