Other
Training a Rural Oral Health Workforce: Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE)
Arsen Melkonyan, DDS
Pediatric Dental Resident
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
The University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States
Anna R. Forsyth, DDS, MSD
Assistant Teaching Professor
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States
Frank Roberts, DDS, PhD
University of Washington
Natasha Flank, DDS, PhD, MSD
University of Washington
Travis M. Nelson, DDS, MSD, MPH
Chair and Program Director
University of Washington Department of Pediatric Dentistry
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States
Anna R. Forsyth, DDS, MSD
Assistant Teaching Professor
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States
Purpose: The Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program is an educational track of the University of Washington School of Dentistry (UWSoD) that aims to produce leaders who practice in rural areas of the Pacific Northwest. This study assesses outcomes of the first 10 years of the RIDE program. The hypotheses tested is that rural background is the most important predictor of long-term rural dental practice.
Methods: This descriptive study assessed existing data including graduates' location of practice, demographics, rurality of origin, parental occupation, and practice type over time. Subjects are all graduates of the RIDE program from 2011-2021 (N=80), represent all genders and range in age from 25-50 years. Statistical analyses were utilized to explore associations.
Results: Within the study sample 77.5% of graduates are practicing in a rural area, 32.5% of graduates pursued post-graduate dental training, 58.8% participate in Medicaid, and 83.8% are practicing in the Pacific northwest. Statistical analysis demonstrated an association between rural upbringing and established dental practice in a rural region.
Conclusion: Graduates of the RIDE program practice in rural areas in greater proportion compared to the general population of practicing dentists. RIDE graduates from the study period tended to be male, Caucasian, and originate from an urban location.