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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Project Examples: Dental workforce

Other Project Examples

Tooth B.U.D.D.S.

Added July 2024

  • Need: To increase access to preventive dental care among children living in rural Arizona.
  • Intervention: A nonprofit organization formed to offer free, school-based preventive dental services to children in two rural Arizona counties.
  • Results: Throughout the 2023-24 school year, Tooth B.U.D.D.S. provided preventive services to 1,710 students in rural Graham and Greenlee Counties. Program staff use a telehealth platform to connect children to local dentists for follow-up care.

Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE)

funded by the Health Resources Services Administration

Updated/reviewed June 2024

  • Need: Address oral health disparities in Washington's rural and underserved communities.
  • Intervention: The University of Washington School of Dentistry (UWSOD) developed the Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program to increase the number of culturally and clinically competent dentists prepared for practice in rural and underserved areas.
  • Results: Since its start in 2009 and as of 2024, nearly 100 dentists have completed the program with over 81% practicing in rural and underserved communities.