J Korean Acad Oral Health.  2024 Jun;48(2):64-70. 10.11149/jkaoh.2024.48.2.64.

Disparities in dental healthcare utilization based on regional characteristics in Korea

• Lee YJ
• Choi YH

• KMID: 2556596
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11149/jkaoh.2024.48.2.64

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to analyze dental healthcare resources and utilization patterns according to regional characteristics in Korea and to compare disparities in unmet dental care need rates and subjective oral health status.
Methods
Dental healthcare resources and utilization patterns were analyzed using data from the National Health Insurance Statistics (NHIS) and the Population and Housing Census (2022). Descriptive statistics were performed on the distribution of dental healthcare resources, such as dental institutions, dentists, and dental hygienists per 100,000 people. Inflow and outflow indices for healthcare utilization were calculated using the number of days of inpatient and outpatient visits for oral diseases. In addition, the association between the type of local governance and unmet oral healthcare needs, as well as subjective oral health status, was analyzed using the chi-square test with the Community Health Survey (2022) data.
Results
The number of dental institutions, dentists, and dental hygienists (per 100,000 people) in rural areas (such as “Urban and rural complex - si,” “Gun,” and “Gun with an established public health clinic”) was lower than in urban areas (such as a “[Special] metropolitan city”). The inflow and outflow indices for healthcare utilization by oral disease indicated higher outflows of patients to metropolitan areas. Furthermore, the chi-square analysis revealed that, for the “Gun with an established public health clinic,” more respondents reported unmet dental care needs and poor subjective oral health status (P<0.05).
Conclusions
Dental healthcare resources were concentrated in metropolitan areas, and a relatively higher frequency of experience of unmet dental care needs was observed in rural areas. Therefore, policy responses are required to address the disproportionate distribution of dental healthcare resources according to regional factors.

Keyword

Communtiy-based dental healthcare; Dental healthcare resources; Healthcare utilization; Unmet dental care needs

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Type of local governance.

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  Fig. 2 Inflow and outflow indices for regional healthcare utilization by oral disease (2022).

Reference

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