Dentists:ODH estimates that 1-3 percent of dentists left the Missouri workforce during the pandemic. Predominantly, these were dentists near retirement age who chose to retire rather than dealing with the strains of practice during the pandemic. Eighteen percent (18%) of ODH survey respondents stated filling an open position for dentist took more than 90 days. Fifty-seven percent (57%) stated they were unable to fill an open position for a dentist.
Hygienists: The ADA/ADHA national survey indicated approximately 8 percent of hygien- ists withdrew from active practice during the pandemic. Our survey seems to mirror those results. The ADA/ADHA survey indicates some hygienists may consider returning in the future. Twenty-nine percent (29%) of ODH survey respondents stated filling an open position for hygienists took more than 90 days. Forty-four percent (44%) stated they were unable to fill an open position for a hygienist.
Dental Assistants: Our surveys and interviews seem to indicate that dental assistants who withdrew from dental practice during the pandemic may be the least likely to return. We estimate between 5%-10% of dental as- sistants left the oral healthcare workforce. Forty-five percent (45%) of ODH survey respondents stated filling an open position for assistants took more than 90 days or they were unable to fill the position. Sixty percent (60%) of respondents stated they were un- able to fill an open position for an EFDA.
Administrative Staff: Our surveys indicate administrative staff was least affected by the pandemic with an estimated attrition rate of 1%-3%. Nineteen percent (19%) of ODH survey respondents stated filling an open position for administrative staff took more than 90 days. Twenty-two percent (22%) of respondents stated they were unable to fill an open position for administrative staff.
CONCLUSIONS & ACTION STEPS
There were more than 300 comments from respondents to the ODH Workforce Survey. The following are representative observa- tions and planned action steps.
• Many expressed frustration, stress, burnout and concern for long-term
Honest Answers / Practical Solutions / Personal Service 800-944-7550 •
MDIS4DDS.COM
ISSUE 3 | MAY/JUN 2022 | focus 21
The current workforce shortage cuts across all roles in the dental office: doctor, hygienist, dental assistant and administrators … hang in there and support each other.
health of care providers due to work- force shortages.
• Many expressed concerns workforce shortages were ‘pinching’ their ability to care for patients.
• Several suggested recruiting workforce was more difficult in rural areas.
• All seemed to suggest the need to do something to address workforce issues was urgent.
• This is the main thing I want you to remember about this article:
The Missouri Office of Dental Health, the MDA, the Missouri Dental Hygienists Association and the Missouri Primary Care Association have heard your concerns. We are convening a joint task force to discuss solutions. By the time you read this we will have already met once. Our goal is to develop a concrete action plan for an oral health-
care workforce that will adequately serve Missourians and support the well-being of the care providers. We will report our recom- mendations to each association no later than July 15.
Workforce issues have been building for a couple of decades and were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will try to offer practical short- and long-term solutions. In the meantime, hang in there and support each other.
Contact Dr. Deyton at
guy.deyton@
health.mo.gov or 573-526-3838.
712 HEALTHCARE DATA BREACHES REPORTED
IN 2021, THERE WERE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
