Motivations and experiences among dentists in rural private practice: A qualitative study

Zachary Prouty; Julie C Reynolds; Natoshia Askelson

doi:10.1111/jphd.12575

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Motivations and experiences among dentists in rural private practice: A qualitative study

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Motivations and experiences among dentists in rural private practice: A qualitative study

Zachary Prouty, Julie C Reynolds and Natoshia Askelson

Journal of public health dentistry, Vol.83(3), pp.265-274

Summer 2023

DOI: 10.1111/jphd.12575

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES Despite the critical importance of access to dental care for rural residents and concerns about a shrinking rural dentist workforce, few studies have examined rural dentist motivations to practice in rural areas. The aim of this study was to explore practicing rural dentists' motivations and experiences qualitatively through semi-structured interviews to help inform and guide recruitment and retention efforts in rural areas. METHODS Dentists were included in the sample frame if they were general dentists in private practice and had a primary practice located in a rural Iowa county. Rural dentists with publicly available email addresses were contacted by email to participate. Semi-structured interviews were administered to 16 private practice general dentists. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using pre-set and emergent codes. RESULTS Participants were most commonly male (75%), under age 35 (44%), white (88%), and practiced in a partnership arrangement (44%). The main codes regarding dentists' experiences and motivations to practice in a rural area included familiarity with a rural area, community, financial factors, and clinical care delivery. Having been raised in a rural area was a major influence in most dentists' decisions about where to locate. CONCLUSIONS The importance of rural upbringing in this study underscores the need to consider rural upbringing in dental student admissions. Additional findings, such as financial benefits of a rural practice and other practice-related factors can be used to inform recruitment efforts.

Rural Health

UIOWA OA Agreement

career choice

community-based dental education

dental care access

oral health care access

oral health care for the underserved

oral health disparities

qualitative research

Details

Title: Subtitle: Motivations and experiences among dentists in rural private practice: A qualitative study
Creators: Zachary Prouty - Potach and Mitchell Dental Clinic Austin Minnesota United States
Julie C Reynolds - University of Iowa
Natoshia Askelson - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of public health dentistry, Vol.83(3), pp.265-274
DOI: 10.1111/jphd.12575
eISSN: 1752-7325
Publisher: Wiley
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 06/18/2023
Date published season: Summer 2023
Date published: 2023
Academic Unit: Preventive and Community Dentistry; Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive); Community and Behavioral Health
Record Identifier: 9984436278002771

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