UW CHWS Research Scientists Grace Guenther and Ben Stubbs, on behalf of the Washington Oral Health Workforce Tracking Program (WOHW) team, presented to the Washington Health Workforce Council during an in-person meeting on August 28, 2025, in Olympia, WA.
The presentation focused on the rural oral health workforce in Washington State, highlighting persistent challenges in access to care, workforce shortages, and geographic disparities affecting rural communities. The presentation also emphasized the need for targeted strategies to support recruitment, retention, and training of oral health professionals in underserved areas.
The presenters shared findings from the Washington Sentinel Network, an initiative of the Health Workforce Council conducted collaboratively by Washington’s Workforce Board and CHWS. Drawing on the Spring 2025 brief from dental offices and clinics, the presentation highlighted employer-reported challenges in hiring dental hygienists and assistants, citing a shortage of qualified applicants, limited training pipelines, and rising competition from other industries. Childcare, housing, and transportation remain key barriers to recruitment and retention in rural areas. Many employers are exploring or supporting “grow-your-own” models such as on-the-job training and apprenticeships to build a more sustainable local workforce.
The presentation was part of a broader effort to align workforce development with community health needs and ensure equitable access to oral health care across Washington.