In 2005 and in 2008, 86% of ND dentists were employed full-time (Amundson et al., 2005; Lang et al., 2008). In 2005, 61% of ND dentists were self-employed and 25% were self-employed in a solo-practice (Amundson et al., 2005). In 2008, 53% of dentists indicated that they were self-employed and 27% were in a self-employed solo practice (Lang et al., 2008). The average vacancy rate for dentists at 87 responding health care facilities is 3.41% (SD=14.16) (ND AHEC Health Professions Survey, 2010). Data from the ND Job Service jobs website indicates that as of May, 2010 there are 4 Job Openings for Dentists in North Dakota (ND Job Service, 2010) Using federal designation methodology, 36% of ND counties are fully or partially designated as dental health professional shortage areas which include only dentists practicing general dentistry (Primary Care Office, 2010). ND dentist’s average salary is higher than the national average. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010) DENTAL HYGIENIST The dental hygienist works together with the dentist to meet the oral health needs of patients. Each state has its own specific regulations regarding the responsibilities of the dental hygienist; therefore, the range of services performed by hygienists varies. Some of the services provided may include: performing patient screening procedures, taking and developing x-rays, removing plaque from all surfaces of the teeth, applying preventive materials to the teeth, providing patient education on appropriate oral hygiene, counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact
In 2005 and in 2008, 86% of ND dentists were employed full-time (Amundson et al., 2005; Lang et al., 2008). In 2005, 61% of ND dentists were self-employed and 25% were self-employed in a solo-practice (Amundson et al., 2005). In 2008, 53% of dentists indicated that they were self-employed and 27% were in a self-employed solo practice (Lang et al., 2008). The average vacancy rate for dentists at 87 responding health care facilities is 3.41% (SD=14.16) (ND AHEC Health Professions Survey, 2010). Data from the ND Job Service jobs website indicates that as of May, 2010 there are 4 Job Openings for Dentists in North Dakota (ND Job Service, 2010) Using federal designation methodology, 36% of ND counties are fully or partially designated as dental health professional shortage areas which include only dentists practicing general dentistry (Primary Care Office, 2010). ND dentist’s average salary is higher than the national average. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2010) DENTAL HYGIENIST The dental hygienist works together with the dentist to meet the oral health needs of patients. Each state has its own specific regulations regarding the responsibilities of the dental hygienist; therefore, the range of services performed by hygienists varies. Some of the services provided may include: performing patient screening procedures, taking and developing x-rays, removing plaque from all surfaces of the teeth, applying preventive materials to the teeth, providing patient education on appropriate oral hygiene, counseling patients about good nutrition and its impact
Workforce-final-10-22-10b.docx