Some factors that endodontists may consider when selecting a practice location.

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Health Services Research
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

• The geographic distribution of dental specialists, particularly endodontists, is crucial for equitable access to specialized oral healthcare.
• Understanding factors influencing endodontist distribution can inform policies aimed at improving dental workforce distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between the availability of endodontists per population and state-level demographic and socioeconomic factors.
• To identify characteristics associated with higher or lower ratios of endodontists to the general population.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of endodontist-to-population ratios across states.
• Correlation with state rankings based on graduate endodontic training programs.
• Statistical examination of relationships with population demographics, income, healthcare spending, and socioeconomic indicators.

Main Results:

• Positive correlations were found between endodontist distribution and overall health/social conditions, per capita income, healthcare spending, and the proportion of Hispanic and Asian-American populations.
• Negative correlations were observed with the proportion of the population underserved by dentists, higher out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, and poverty levels.

Conclusions:

• Endodontist distribution is influenced by socioeconomic status, population diversity, and existing healthcare access.
• Further local-level analysis is recommended to understand practitioner site selection decisions.