Attitudes and behaviors regarding public health of dental school graduates from A. T. Still University

Abstract

Purpose: To survey A. T. Still University, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH) graduates and evaluate the impact of completing a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree during dental school on a dentist's practice behaviors, volunteerism, and attitudes toward dental education, practice preparedness, and the dental profession. Methods: In 2018, a 35-question survey was emailed to 637 (ATSU-ASDOH) graduates from 2007 to 2017. Questions were related to demographics, obtaining an MPH, postgraduate education, practice setting, and attitudes regarding dental education on practice preparedness and the dental profession. Results: One hundred and seven dentists completed the survey for a response rate of 16.8%. Of those, 40 respondents received an MPH from (ATSU-ASDOH) at the same time as graduating with a DMD or within 5 years following graduation. Dentists with an MPH were more likely to practice in public health settings (P = 0.028). However, the MPH did not appear to influence attitudes toward the dental profession. Conclusion: Dentists from (ATSU-ASDOH) who obtained an MPH and those who entered dental school wanting to work with the underserved are more likely to practice within public health settings. This study begins to paint a picture of a dual degree graduate. Future studies should explore which variables are more likely to result in a graduate working within a public health setting.