Krause Denise, Frate Dennis A, May Warren L
University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, Department of Periodontics and Preventive Sciences, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
J Am Dent Assoc. 2005 May;136(5):668-77. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2005.0241.
Many segments of the population experience one or more barriers to accessing quality oral health care, including availability of licensed dentists. The purpose of the authors' study was to analyze the availability of dentists in Mississippi by county over four decades to determine the geographic distribution of dentists, shifts in their distribution over time and how this distribution relates to population demographics.
Dentist-to-population ratios were determined by county from 1970 through 2000. The authors analyzed these data using standardized z scores and geographic information systems (GIS) technology. Results are presented graphically and geographically.
Results showed that 55 counties were designated as dental health professional shortage areas in 1970, 51 counties in 1980, 30 in 1990 and 40 in 2000. Counties that have a more favorable ratio of providers to population were determined, indicating areas in which dentists are more likely to practice.
Many geographic areas in Mississippi remain underserved. Identifying these areas is a critical first step when addressing the current state of Mississippi's dental work force. This type of information is useful for decision making as well as responding to the population's oral health care needs.
Results of this study can assist current and future practicing dentists, dental school administrators and policy-makers in making informed decisions for determining suitable practice locations, dental school admissions criteria and areas to target for public health initiatives. This model also is useful for studying work force disparities in other health care professions.
许多人群在获得高质量口腔医疗服务方面面临一个或多个障碍，包括获得有执照牙医的服务。作者研究的目的是分析密西西比州各县在四十多年间牙医的可及性，以确定牙医的地理分布、其分布随时间的变化以及这种分布与人口统计学的关系。
确定了1970年至2000年各县的牙医与人口比例。作者使用标准化z分数和地理信息系统（GIS）技术分析了这些数据。结果以图表和地理形式呈现。
结果显示，1970年有55个县被指定为口腔健康专业人员短缺地区，1980年为51个县，1990年为30个县，2000年为40个县。确定了医疗服务提供者与人口比例更有利的县，表明了牙医更有可能执业的地区。
密西西比州的许多地理区域仍然服务不足。确定这些区域是解决密西西比州当前牙科劳动力状况的关键第一步。这类信息对于决策以及满足民众的口腔医疗需求很有用。
本研究结果可帮助当前和未来的执业牙医、牙科学院管理人员和政策制定者做出明智决策，以确定合适的执业地点、牙科学院录取标准以及公共卫生倡议的目标区域。该模型对于研究其他医疗保健行业的劳动力差异也很有用。
