The ratio of dentists to population is declining. In 1990, the number of professionally active dentists per 100,000 population was 59.5. Using projections made by the Health Resources and Services Administration, DHHS, the ratio in 2000 is 58.4, declining to 52.7 in 2020. With an increasing demand for care, an increasing number of Dental Health Professions Shortage Areas, and currently recognized underserved populations, the declining ratio can also indicate an emerging shortage of dentists. Not only are dental institutions providing access to oral health care to underserved populations they are also vital centers for research.
Dental schools have a major responsibility for educating future dental researchers.
Oral health researchers in U.S. dental schools and universities have built a base of scientific and clinical knowledge that has been widely communicated and used to improve oral health. Oral health is increasingly perceived as an important aspect of overall health, and the evidence of a connection between oral and systemic diseases is growing. Traditional dental research in such areas as caries, periodontal disease, and biomaterials has expanded to include molecular and genetic research. Congress continued investment in research is critical for the provision of new knowledge about oral and general health and disease. Improvements in oral health depend on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to biomedical and behavioral research, including partnerships among researchers in the life and physical sciences, and on the ability of practitioners and the public to apply research findings effectively.