Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of our study was to evaluate the allocation of dental resources and explore access to dental care in Taiwan. In addition, we tried to understand the spatiotemporal characteristics of dental care quality and analyze the relationship between dental care quality and areas with deficiencies in dental resources.MethodsThe study used a two-step floating catchment area to calculate the dental resources accessibility and explore the spatiotemporal distributions of dental care quality. The association between dental care quality and spatial accessibility was analyzed using a spatial error model.ResultsMost areas with deficient dental resources and lower dental care quality were remote townships, agricultural towns, or aging towns with spatial clustering. The quality of children's preventive dental care had increased over time. Most highly urbanized areas had higher dental care quality. The quality of some dental care types such as children's preventive care and full-mouth calculous removal was associated with higher accessibility.ConclusionsUnderstanding the spatiotemporal distribution of both dental care accessibility and quality can assist in allocation of dental care resources. Adequate dental resources may elevate dental care quality. Suggestions include policies to balance dental resources and routinely monitor improvement in areas with deficient dental care.
Highlights
The aim of our study was to evaluate the allocation of dental resources and explore access to dental care in Taiwan
The villages located on the western coast, and in eastern Taiwan and the mountainous areas had low accessibility, shown in blue (Fig. 1a)
Corresponding to the level of urbanization of each township, resources were concentrated in the west, especially in the western metropolitan areas, and the areas with low accessibility of dental service were mostly in aging, agricultural and remote towns (Table 1)
Summary
The aim of our study was to evaluate the allocation of dental resources and explore access to dental care in Taiwan. Especially in developing countries, there are not enough dental resources. The dental-to-population ratios have inequalities in different regions, and this is especially a concern among deprived communities, certain ethnic minorities, and disabled individuals [1]. The density of dentists in 2019 based on American Dental Association Health Policy Institute data varied by state. In the eastern region of Taiwan, Hualien city, located on flatlands, is the most densely populated area in Hualien county, and has more medical resources than other townships.
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