Journal of Health Sciences & Surveillance System

Analyzing Global Dentist Distribution Using the Gini Coefficient

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Erfan Kharazmi
Shima Bordbar
Aida Javanmardi
Najmeh Bordbar

Health Human Resources Research Centre, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/jhsss.2023.97596.1712
Abstract
Background: Each country’s health system is tasked with providing services to ensure the health of its population. Dental services are among these essential services. However, dental service utilization is unevenly distributed worldwide. This study’s findings will give health sector officials and policymakers valuable insights to enhance system performance.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study, conducted in 2021, aimed to determine the distribution of dentists worldwide. The analysis utilized the Pareto curve, the dentist-to-population ratio (DPR), the Gini Coefficient (GC), and the Lorenz curve. The goal was to identify the countries with the highest number of dentists.
Results: There are over 2,500,000 dentists globally, averaging 3.6 dentists per 10,000 people. However, the ratios vary significantly, with about 6.8 per 10,000 in countries with very high Human Development Index (HDI) groups and 0.19 per 10,000 in low HDI groups. The data indicates that more than 80% of dentists work in countries with very high and high HDI.
Conclusion: This study suggests that job concentration is higher in areas with superior welfare and facilities, and dentistry is no exception. Therefore, creating better welfare in more disadvantaged areas, implementing mandatory government plans, and strategic government planning can help mitigate distribution inequality.

Highlights

Erfan Kharazmi (Google Scholar)

Shima Bordbar (Google Scholar)

Keywords

Dentists
Gini Coefficient
Human Development
World Countries
Healthcare Disparities
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Journal of Health Sciences & Surveillance System
Volume 12, Issue 3
Summer 2024
Pages 327-335

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