Objectives

The objectives of this paper are to describe sources of data on underrepresented minority (URM) dental providers and to perform a structured critique of primary survey research on African American (AA), Hispanic/Latino (HL), and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) dentists.

Methods

A national sample survey was conducted between October 2012 and March 2013, and secondary datasets were assessed for comparability. The survey used 21 sampling frames, with censuses of AI/AN and nonurban dentists, and assessed demographics, education, practice history, patient population, volunteerism, experiences with discrimination, and opinions on issues in dentistry. The survey was developed with constituent input, pilot-tested, and distributed online and through US mail with three reminder postcards, phone, and email follow-up. Continuing education credit and entry to a prize drawing were provided for participation.

Results

Existing data sources cannot answer critical research questions about URM dentists. Using best practices, the survey received a 34 percent adjusted response rate. Selection likelihood and measurable response bias were adjusted for using base and poststratification weights.

Conclusions

The survey design was consistent with best practices, and our response analytics provide high confidence that the survey produced data representative of the URM dentist population. Enhanced study design, content, and response rates of existing survey efforts would be needed to provide a more robust body of knowledge on URM providers, perspectives, and practices.

The underrepresentation of Blacks, Hispanics or Latinos, and American Indians or Alaska Natives among dentists raises concerns about the diversity of the dental workforce, disparities in access to dental care and in oral health status, and social justice. We quantified the shortage of underrepresented minority dentists and examined these dentists' practice patterns in relation to the characteristics of the communities they serve. The underrepresented minority dentist workforce is disproportionately smaller than, and unevenly distributed in relation to, minority populations in the United States. Members of minority groups represent larger shares of these dentists' patient panels than of the populations in the communities where the dentists are located. Compared to counties with no underrepresented minority dentists, counties with one or more such dentists are more racially diverse and affluent but also have greater economic and social inequality. Current policy approaches to improve the diversity of the dental workforce are a critical first step, but more must be done to improve equity in dental health.