Relationship between Safety- net Oral Health Care Practices and Income among American Indian/ Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic/Latino Dentists

Background. American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), Black (B), and Hispanic/ Latino (H/L) people are underrepresented in dentistry, yet disproportionately constitute the safety- net dental workforce. We examined the relationship between serving as safety- net providers (SNPs) and self- reported income. Methods. Using data from a 2012 national survey of AI/AN, B, and H/L dentists, we examined the relationship between being an SNP and income using linear regression, stratified by potential modifying factors. Results. In 2011, AI/AN, B, and H/L SNPs earned 82% of non- SNP income, even after considering traditional predictors of practice choice and income (race and educational debt), as well as practice trends (practice ownership and busyness). Discussion. Serving as a SNP may explain observed income differences between AI/AN, B, and H/L dentists and their non- SNP counterparts. Given that these dentists are more likely to practice in safety nets, practice choice may contribute to the observed racial income gap in dentistry.