Other
Laura Borodic, DMD
Second Year Pediatric Dental Resident
University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Connecticut, United States
Christian Gronbeck, MD
University of Connecticut
Bina Katechia, B.D.S., M.Sc.
Residency Director/associate professor
University of Connecticut
Farmington, Connecticut, United States
Purpose: Assess the geographic distribution of practicing (AAPD) pediatric dentists and compare sociodemographic characteristics of US counties with and without dentists.
Methods: National cross-sectional study of practicing AAPD pediatric dentists in the 2022 Membership Directory. County sociodemographic characteristics were compared (1) among counties with and without at least one pediatric dentist and (2) based on density of pediatric dentists within each county. Sociodemographic factors were obtained from 2020 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Results: 7,332 practicing AAPD pediatric dentists were identified in 913 counties. Density of pediatric dentists was greater in New England, Mid Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Pacific. Counties with ≥1 pediatric dentist were more often metro (75% vs. 22%, P < .0001), had a higher median income ($63,884 vs. $51,399, P < .0001), a higher proportion of Asian (3% vs. 1%, P < .0001) and Hispanic (17% vs. 13%, P < .0001) children, and a higher frequency of adults with a 4-year college education(30% vs. 20%, P < .0001). Counties without a pediatric dentist had a higher proportion of Medicaid children(43% vs. 37%, P < .0001). Counties with high pediatric dentist density (≥12.0 per 100,000 children) had a higher proportion of White children (74% vs. 71%, P=.0076) and lower proportion of Hispanic children (14% vs. 19%, P < .0001).
Conclusion: Counties with pediatric dentists demonstrate higher median income and education levels. Racial/ethnic diversity is overall greater in counties with pediatric dentists, but declines in counties with high dentist density. The density of Medicaid children is greater in counties without pediatric dentists, raising potential access concerns.