Texas dental establishments in 2011

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Healthcare Administration
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Texas experienced significant population growth between 2000 and 2011.
• The dental profession faced challenges in meeting the increased demand for care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the changes in dental establishment patterns in Texas from 2000 to 2011.
• To understand how the dental industry adapted to the state's growing population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized published data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau's annual study of business patterns.
• Examined county-level data on dental establishments, employee numbers, salaries, and resident population.

Main Results:

• Dental establishments in Texas increased by nearly 30% between 2000 and 2011.
• There was a notable rise in establishments with a higher number of employees, and the average number of employees per establishment grew to 6.6.
• Average state salaries for dental employees were $47,000, with county-level averages ranging from $35,000 to $59,000.

Conclusions:

• The expansion of dental establishments in Texas proportionally outpaced the increase in the number of dentists.
• This trend suggests a growing capacity within the dental sector to serve the expanding population.
• Emphasizes the importance of monitoring dental establishment activities beyond individual practices.