Pitt’s School of Dental Medicine is planning to open three regional training centers (not pictured). [Courtesy of University of Pittsburgh]<\/p>\n
This story first appeared in Talk of the Town \u2014 a free newsletter with the news that matters from the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA<\/a>. Sign up for curated local stories and unique events at spotlightpa.org\/newsletters\/talkofthetown<\/a>.<\/p>\n This story first appeared in Talk of the Town, a free newsletter with curated local stories and unique events for north-central Pennsylvania. Sign up here.<\/a><\/p>\n A new initiative from the University of Pittsburgh will train future dental professionals in rural Pennsylvania, where a shrinking and aging workforce has left many residents without access to care.<\/p>\n \u201cOur state is really in a crisis when it comes to oral health in these areas, and also the oral health workforce that\u2019s available in these areas,\u201d Kelly Wagner, Pitt\u2019s assistant dean for clinical administration and quality care, told Spotlight PA. \u201cIt\u2019s a twofold problem. Our people that have the greatest oral health care needs also face the greatest issue with access to care.\u201d<\/p>\n According to a 2023 workforce survey<\/a> from the state Department of Health, only 17.9% of Pennsylvania dentists provide direct patient care in rural communities, despite roughly 26% of the state\u2019s population<\/a>, or more than 3 million people, living in such areas.<\/p>\n Additionally, a 2023 legislative study<\/a> found that 55% of the state\u2019s rural dentists are nearing retirement age, and reported that only 6% of dental school graduates in 2019 had plans to work in rural communities.<\/p>\n Through a network of regional training centers<\/a>, Pitt\u2019s School of Dental Medicine plans to offer degree or certificate programs in general practice residency, dental assisting, and dental hygiene, combining online coursework with in-person training at local clinics.<\/p>\n The model, funded by regional partners and grant dollars, is designed to let students train in the field and stay close to home while expanding care in places that often lack providers.<\/p>\n The centers \u2014 currently planned for Cambria, Crawford, and McKean Counties \u2014 have been years in the making, Wagner said. Pitt plans to open its Crawford and McKean locations this summer.<\/p>\n To measure the centers\u2019 success, Wagner plans to look at the number of patients, local staff retention after graduation, and return visits for preventative care. The initial locations were set based on existing campuses and local partnerships, she added.<\/p>\n Rick Esch, president of Pitt\u2019s Bradford and Titusville campuses, told Spotlight PA the dental training centers expand ongoing work in northwestern Pennsylvania to partner with industries, such as accounting and technology, to give students nearby work experience.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a homegrown strategy, where you\u2019re looking at giving local folks the opportunity to get this education and this experience, and hopefully and more likely, they will stay,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org\/donate<\/a>. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you<\/a> who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Pitt’s School of Dental Medicine is planning to open three regional training centers (not pictured). 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