title: Staffing model for dental wellness and readiness.
abstract: Oral health is an integral part of general health. Previous research has shown that untreated oral conditions can result in increased rates of disease and nonbattle injury for deployed soldiers. The purpose of this study was to develop models for U.S. Army dental wellness and readiness using a multivariate regression analysis approach. Staffing levels and dental wellness and readiness rates were examined for the first three quarters of fiscal year 2002 at 40 Army installations. Full regression model equations were developed for percent dental wellness and readiness using location, time, dental provider types, and basic training installation as predictor variables. Both models were shown to be statistically significant, with wellness R2 = 0.37, F12,107 = 5.18, p < 0.001 and readiness R2 = 0.23, F12,107 = 2.65, p < 0.01. Further tests of specific predictor effects revealed that wellness was significantly associated with the specialties of general dentistry, hygienists, and oral surgery, and that readiness was significantly associated with region and the oral surgery specialty. Results may be useful for the U.S. Army to identify the best practices in an effort to optimize dental wellness and readiness.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School, 3151 Scott Road, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA.
authors.forename: Larry G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Rothfuss
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chaffin
authors.forename: Kenn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Finstuen
mesh_terms: D003740:Dental Clinics; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008885:Military Dentistry; D008889:Military Personnel; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009909:Oral Health; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013039:Specialties, Dental; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce