As part of a Cooperative Agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Network for Oral Health Access worked with Baylor College of Dentistry in 2013 to develop and administer a survey of Health Center oral health providers and executive directors. The purpose of the survey was to provide information and analysis on oral health provider salaries, oral health provider satisfaction, and recruitment and retention strategies at Health Centers throughout the country. This paper summarizes and interprets the results of the national survey, updating and expanding upon information provided in the earlier 2009 survey and paper conducted by NNOHA.

Health Centers nationwide face challenges in recruiting and retaining health providers, including dentists and dental hygienists. For this reason, Health Centers are eager to find ways to improve oral health providers’ job satisfaction, such as attracting candidates who are likely to remain at Health Centers, offering competitive salaries and benefits, and providing satisfying work environments.