Strategies for attracting and retaining dentists in deprived areas: A scoping review

Objective (s) The shortage and improper distribution of dentists can prevent people from accessing oral and dental services, slow down the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and limit the achievement of desirable health outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to identify strategies for attracting and retaining dentists in deprived areas. Methods This study was carried out using a scoping review method. All published articles on strategies for attracting and retaining dentists in underprivileged areas until the end of January 2024 were searched and collected in 9 databases and search engine. 25 articles were analyzed using MAXQDA software. Results About 62 strategies were identified for attracting and retaining dentists in deprived areas and classified. The most frequent strategies include providing platforms for professional development and increasing continuous independence for dentists in remote areas, financial support policies for dentists by creating incentives such as mortgages or loan forgiveness, strengthening the infrastructure of villages in order to develop and increase the motivation of employees. Dentistry was the equitable distribution of manpower to reduce the workload in rural areas, the development of rural access to dental services by strengthening remote dental infrastructure and the development of transportation facilities to the workplace. Conclusion Implementation of effective interventions in financing, manpower, technology, equipment and medicine, information systems, service delivery and management and leadership lead to the attraction and retention of dentists in deprived areas. Therefore, health policy makers and managers should take appropriate measures for the attraction and retention of dentists in these areas.