Analysis of trends and disparities in domiciliary dental care distribution in Taiwan from 2018 to 2023.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Domiciliary dental care (DDC) is essential for maintaining oral health in disabled and homebound patients who face barriers to accessing dental services. With Taiwan nearing super-aged society status, the demand for DDC is rising. However, comprehensive data on DDC availability and distribution across Taiwan are lacking. Hence, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the distribution of DDC across Taiwan's districts from 2018 to 2023, and to analyze the estimated ratios of disabled individuals per healthcare provider in each district.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data on DDC-providing hospitals and dental clinics from these years were obtained from government sources. Descriptive statistics quantified DDC facilities distribution and growth. The number of disabled individuals per district was used to estimate ratios of disabled persons to DDC facilities.

RESULTS

DDC facilities increased from 47 in 2018 to 98 in 2023. Urban areas showed higher prevalence of DDC services, while some rural and offshore areas had limited or no access. Taichung and Kaohsiung had the highest numbers of DDC providers, while Penghu and Lianjiang had none. Ratios of disabled individuals to DDC facilities varied widely, with Taichung having the lowest ratio and Yunlin and Chiayi the highest. In conclusion, DDC availability in Taiwan has significantly increased, but geographical disparities persist.

CONCLUSION

These findings underscore the need for targeted policies and resource allocation to address gaps in DDC provision, particularly in underserved areas.