Rural dentistry 2.0: Project summary
RURAL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE, FEB 2016
Background
Nearly half – 43 percent – of Minnesota’s practicing dentists are 55 years or older, and one
third of dentists practicing in rural Minnesota plan to retire or otherwise leave the profession in
the next five years. These older dentists are also more likely to operate solo private practices –
long the norm in rural areas – while many younger dentists are gravitating to group practices.
As rural Minnesota begins experiencing the full effects of a population that is both aging and
diversifying rapidly, many questions arise regarding the sustainability and sufficiency of the
state’s current oral health delivery system. How will these demographic and professional shifts
affect oral health care in rural Minnesota? What new practice models or adaptations should
rural dentistry consider to remain viable and accessible, and what corresponding changes will
be needed to train, attract and retain an effective oral health workforce for rural communities?
What other resources or policy changes will be needed to ensure a strong rural oral health
system in the coming years?
The Rural Health Advisory Committee (RHAC), a 15-member group appointed by the governor
to advise the commissioner of health and other policymakers on rural health issues, will lead a
6-month project in partnership with a range of key stakeholders to explore these increasingly
important issues.
Work group charge
RHAC will convene a Rural Dentistry Work Group charged with producing research findings and
policy recommendations on the following questions:
1. What is the current and projected landscape of rural dentistry in Minnesota?
▪ Oral health workforce demographics
▪ Geography of dental access – which communities are losing dental providers at what
rate, are there patterns or regions with particular needs/assets?
▪ What issues challenge the viability of the traditional/current rural dentistry model?
2. What will the next generation of rural dentistry need to be effective, sustainable and
sufficient to meet Minnesota’s oral health needs?
▪ Potential models, both new and adaptations to the traditional model
▪ Workforce needs
▪ Training/education needs
RU R AL
DE N TI S T R Y
2 .0 :
P R OJE C T
S UM MA R Y
Work group composition
Members
The Rural Dentistry Work Group will represent a variety of oral health perspectives and roles,
including dental professional associations, dental educators, safety-net providers, other oral
health stakeholders, and interested RHAC members.
Chair
Rural Health Advisory Committee (RHAC) member Michael Zakula, DDS, will chair the work
group. Dr. Zakula, Past President of the Minnesota Dental Association, is a recently retired
orthodontist who had a private practice in Hibbing for 34 years. In addition to RHAC, he serves
on the Board of Directors of Delta Dental of Minnesota and the Board of the Minnesota Dental
Foundation.
Staff
The project will be staffed by the Office of Rural Health & Primary Care in the Minnesota
Department of Health. The primary staff contact will be Darcy Dungan-Seaver, who can be
reached at [email protected] or 651-201-3855.
Meeting plan
1. April 2016
▪ Introductions
▪ Review the current landscape: dental profession and access trends, other data
▪ Discuss key issues to be tackled and how
2. May 2016
▪ Review any additional data/analysis requested at first meeting
▪ Review and discuss promising practices in rural dentistry: Results of literature search
and other research
3. June 2016 (optional)
▪ Host roundtable at Minnesota Rural Health Conference (Duluth)
▪ Present initial findings and gather input from participants
4. September 2016
▪ Review key findings to date
▪ Identify what’s needed to support the most promising practices/approaches
▪ Education/training
▪ Public policy
▪ Other
5. October (& November if necessary) 2016
▪
Develop recommendations
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