The dental workforce in the US is facing a significant reduction in the number of dental hygienists and dental assistants. This decline, marked by a 10% decrease in practice capacity in 2022, is impacting the efficiency and quality of dental care services while presenting serious challenges to job satisfaction and the overall well-being of the…
The health workforce is a vital part of our health care delivery system. To meet the health care needs of the population, it is essential to have a workforce that is well-trained, adequately staffed, and diverse. However, even in this post-pandemic era, significant challenges remain. This introduction to a special collection of papers in Health…
Health centers—often referred to as federally qualified health centers or FQHCs—play a vital role in addressing perinatal inequities. However, there is limited data on how various staffing models, including the presence of certified nurse midwives (CNMs), influence perinatal outcomes. This article identifies how different health center perinatal staffing configurations—including the availability and use of CNMs—relate…
Career ladders offer a structured pathway for employees to advance in their careers by meeting specific education, certification, and performance requirements. These programs help entry-level workers gain the skills needed to progress into intermediary and leadership roles within their organizations. By providing a clear progression path, career ladders enhance staff recruitment, development, and retention while…
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers with less formal education, such as nursing assistants and home care aides, were more likely to experience economic insecurity—including real or perceived financial instability—compared to their more highly educated counterparts, such as physicians and nurses. To understand how the pandemic affected these workers, researchers analyzed economic insecurity during…
Issues of workplace violence in health care have garnered increasing attention due to its impact on health care worker’s well-being and retention. Information on whether and how workplace violence rates vary between health care facilities and occupations is limited, particularly regarding growth over time. This article investigates trends in workplace violence for a variety of…
Legal scope of practice for dental hygienists differs by state. Research suggests that broader scope of practice laws at the state level can improve oral health outcomes. This infographic, an update from when it was last updated in 2019, illustrates allowable tasks for dental hygienists by each state in the United States, to help planners…
The HWRCs’ 2024 Annual Report captures the work conducted by the federally-funded HWRCs throughout the past year. Research studies highlight the continued impact of COVID-19 on the health workforce, including topics such as burnout, telehealth, staffing trends and turnover, and strategies to recruit and retain health workers.
To meet rising demand and ensure that all individuals have access to timely and adequate care, a sufficient number of health professionals is necessary. A diverse and well-distributed workforce ensures that health care services are accessible in all geographic areas, including underserved rural and urban communities. This chartbook uses data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education…
Dental therapists (DTs) are primary dental care practitioners that have been deployed in many countries around the world. There is increasingly strong evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of DTs, including their ability to promote community-based services and enhance oral health equity. Following the approval of education standards by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)…
