Determinants of dentists' geographic distribution

Area of Science:

• Dental Practice Management
• Health Economics
• Geographic Distribution Analysis

Background:

• Practice location decisions are increasingly economically significant for dentists.
• Previous literature suggested complex, individualistic factors govern dentists' geographic distribution.
• A systematic pattern in dentist distribution was previously not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To specify and estimate an economic model explaining dentist distribution in Connecticut market areas.
• To test the hypothesis that dentist distribution follows theoretical predictions rather than being random.
• To identify key variables influencing the geographic distribution of dental practices.

Main Methods:

• Economic modeling was used to analyze dentist distribution.
• Statistical estimation techniques were applied to market area data.
• The study focused on the state of Connecticut.

Main Results:

• The geographic distribution of dentists is significantly influenced by a few key variables.
• The findings support the hypothesis that dentist distribution is predictable, not random.
• The developed model provides insights into factors driving dental practice location.

Conclusions:

• Dentist geographic distribution can be explained by specific economic factors.
• The model offers a framework for understanding and predicting dental practice locations.
• This research can aid educators in guiding dental students on practice location choices.