Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-7-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
General Studies
First Advisor
Anne Cafer
Second Advisor
Erin Holmes
Third Advisor
Lynn Woo
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Access to healthcare in rural and underserved communities remains a significant challenge in the United States, particularly in dental care, where workforce shortages are more pronounced. This study examines how medical and dental education programs develop rural healthcare providers, focusing on admissions strategies and training pathways. Using a structured scoping review and secondary data analysis, this research compares how each field incorporates known predictors of rural practice, such as rural background and training experiences, into workforce pipeline development. Findings indicate that while both medical and dental education recognize rural background as a strong predictor of rural practice, medical education more effectively operationalizes and prioritizes this knowledge through structured admissions targeting and longitudinal rural training pathways. In contrast, dental education relies more heavily on short-term clinical rotations and experimental, with limited evidence of widespread, structured pipeline programs. County-level analysis of dentist-to-population ratios further reveals significant disparities in workforce distribution, particularly in lower-ranked states where rural counties often have limited or no dental providers. These patterns suggest that workforce maldistribution is influenced by differences in educational design rather than individual choice alone. v The study concludes that improving rural dental workforce outcomes will require a shift toward more intentional pipeline development, including targeted admissions, longitudinal training programs, and policy support. Strengthening these structures may help reduce disparities in access to oral healthcare and improve overall health outcomes in rural communities.
Recommended Citation
Harris, Charolyn A., "Examining the Rural Workforce: Comparing Admissions Strategies and Training Pathways in U.S. Medical and Dental Education" (2026). Honors Theses. 3447.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3447
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Included in
Dental Public Health and Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Other Public Health Commons