Forsyth, Anna R.Melkonyan, Arsen2023-08-142023-08-142023-08-142023Melkonyan_washington_0250O_25401.pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/1773/50308Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2023Purpose: The Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program is an educational track of the University of Washington School of Dentistry (UWSoD) that aims to produce leaders who practice in rural areas of the Pacific Northwest. This study assesses outcomes of the first 10 years of the RIDE program. The hypotheses tested is that rural background is the most important predictor of long-term rural dental practice. Methods: This descriptive study assessed existing data including graduates' location of practice, demographics, rurality of origin, parental occupation, and practice type over time. Subjects are all graduates of the RIDE program from 2011-2021 (N=80), represent all genders and range in age from 25-45 years. Statistical analyses were utilized to explore associations. Results: Within the study sample 82% of graduates are practicing in a rural area, 32.5% of graduates pursued post-graduate dental training, 40% participate in Medicaid, and 78% are practicing in the Pacific northwest. Statistical analysis demonstrated a strong association and medium to large effect sizes between both rural upbringing and training sites and established dental practice in a rural region. Conclusions: Graduates of the RIDE program practice in rural areas in greater proportion compared to the general population of practicing dentists. RIDE graduates from the study period tended to be male, Caucasian, and practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or rural site/clinic.application/pdfen-USnoneDentistryEducationOralRIDERuralDentistryEducationDentistryThesis