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Item Data Report: 2014 Indiana Dentist Workforce(2015-05) Sheff, Zachary T.; Nowak, Callie L.; Maxey, Hannah L.The dentist workforce is the primary provider of oral health care to Indiana residents. In 2014, there were 3,982 dentists who held an active license in Indiana. These dentists were not surveyed during their re-licensure period, as has been done in the past, but were contacted by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) via email in the fall of 2014 and asked to complete a brief survey. Despite follow-up reminders from IPLA and the Indiana Dentist Association (IDA) survey response was low (13.4%). The previous survey, which was administered during dentists’ 2012 re-licensure period, had a response rate of 80.7 percent. Of the 3,982 actively licensed dentists who were offered the survey, there were 532 respondents. Only 424 dentists were included in this analysis after filtering respondents to include only those who were actively licensed, practicing in Indiana, and currently practicing as dentists. Because of the small proportion of the actively licensed dentist workforce in Indiana that is represented in this analysis, it is unclear whether this sample is representative of the overall workforce. Comparing 2014 survey data with 2012 survey data indicated similar patterns in dental specialty and hours worked per week. However, slightly more rural dentists responded to the 2014 survey than the 2012 survey. Comparisons between responders and non-responders to the 2014 survey indicate that those who completed the survey were older than those who did not. The collection of high quality health workforce data is dependent upon reaching a large proportion of the health workforce. The low response rate to this survey suggests that this methodology is not optimal for collecting data on Indiana’s health professional workforces. Survey response fell by 67.3 percent compared to the 2012 dentist re-licensure survey. Embedding the survey instrument in the health professional re-licensure process has consistently yielded high (>80%) response rates across all health professions and should be considered as the primary method of survey administration for future data collection.Item Impact of COVID-19 on Life Experiences of Essential Workers Attending a Dental Testing Facility(Sage, 2021) Fontana, M.; McCauley, L.; Fitzgerald, M.; Eckert, G. J.; Yanca, E.; Eber, R.; Biostatistics and Health Data Science, School of MedicineObjectives: 1) To compare the impact of COVID-19 on the life experiences of essential workers attending a COVID-19 antibody testing clinic at a dental school. 2) To compare responses of dental, non-dental health care, and non-health care essential workers. 3) To assess acceptability/satisfaction of testing done in a dental setting. Method: A total of 984 participants completed a self-administered online questionnaire. Results: Over 90% were healthy (i.e., not in a high-risk health-related group for COVID-19), did not have COVID-19 symptoms within 30 d, and always/frequently engaged in preventive measures. Fifty-eight percent thought that they had a 0% to 25% chance of having immunity/antibodies to COVID-19. Non-dental health care workers thought that their chance was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than others. Over 70% were sometimes, frequently, or always worried about their friends and loved ones getting COVID-19 and of resulting financial problems. Dental workers were significantly less afraid than non-dental health care and non-health care providers. For all groups, more than half of the respondents stated that the pandemic had a negative (somewhat worse or worse) impact on daily life (59%), interactions with others (65%), stress levels (66%), and enjoyment of life (56%). There were significant differences among all 3 groups regarding the percentage of individuals with a negative impact on job security (dental, 47%; non-dental health care, 34%; non-health care, 31%). However, more than half of the respondents stated that the pandemic had a positive impact (same, somewhat better, or much better) on caring about one another, self-care, and exercise. Knowing the results of an antibody test would decrease the level of stress and anxiety in 67% of respondents. Over 80% found a COVID-19 test received in a dental setting acceptable, were "definitely" satisfied, and would "definitely" recommend it to a friend, family, or coworker. Conclusions: These findings support that dental workers are as vulnerable as other essential workers to threats and psychological impacts of COVID-19. They also support the acceptability and satisfaction of testing for a pandemic done in a dental setting. Knowledge transfer statement: The results of this study highlight the impact that pandemics such as COVID-19 can have on life experiences of essential workers, including dentists. It also highlights a role that dentistry can play within the broader health care system, during and beyond the current pandemic, to help with surveillance efforts of community health. Testing may also help alleviate stress and anxiety associated with these pandemics.