Building the future workforce of American oral health professionals

The challenge

The U.S. faces a significant shortage of dental providers specialized in caring for the elderly and people with disabilities, who have complex oral health needs. In Iowa, there is a dentist workforce shortage, particularly in rural areas, which significantly impacts elderly and patients with disability who already face substantial barriers to dental care. These challenges include a lack of specialized providers, limited Medicaid and Medicare coverage, and physical access barriers. 

Oral diseases persist among the aging population and people with disabilities globally, and currently, the World Health Organization estimates that oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people. Despite improvements in high-income countries, concerns like caries remain active, especially among elderly adults retaining natural teeth. In addition, adults with disabilities face numerous risk factors that impede oral hygiene and access to dental care, increasing susceptibility to cavities.

The initiative

Sun Life and DentaQuest have partnered with the University of Iowa College of Dentistry to support their Geriatric and Special Needs Certificate Program to help prepare dentists to be leaders and teachers in geriatric dentistry and dentistry for adults with specialized health care needs. The program offers comprehensive educational experiences that integrate clinical training with didactic learning across the full continuum of care – from preventative services to complex treatment planning for these vulnerable populations. 

The impact 

From 2024 to 2025, this program served 3,824 patients, the majority of whom are Medicaid patients, and accumulated over 4,400 clinical visits. The program has also produced 19 graduates, contributing to faculty positions nationwide.