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.