Distribution of Specialist Orthodontic Service Provision Across South Australia According to Socio-Economic Status and Remoteness.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how access to specialist orthodontic services (SOS) varies across South Australia (SA) according to socio-economic status and remoteness.

DESIGN AND

SETTING

A cross-sectional telephone survey of 92 specialist orthodontic practice locations across SA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) specialist orthodontists (orthodontists) and auxiliaries working at each location. The ratio of 12-year-old (yo) population to one FTE orthodontist (12yo:1 FTEO) at the local government area (LGA) level to indicate availability of SOS. The average distance required from each LGA to access at least one FTE orthodontist (D1FTEO) as an indication of accessibility of SOS Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS) 3.24.2-Tisler (https://www.qgis.org). The variance in availability and accessibility of SOS according to remoteness and socio-economic status.

RESULTS

The response rate was 93.48%. The 12 yo:1 FTEO in SA was 564.62. The mean (SD) D1FTEO was 138 km (173 km). Across SA there was a general trend of decreased availability and accessibility of SOS in areas outside of major cities and in areas of lower socio-economic status.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of orthodontists in nonmajor city or poorer locations in SA was not compensated by an increased presence of orthodontic auxiliaries. Further research in other Australian states and territories may be warranted to confirm whether similar shortages in SOS exist in nonmajor city locations or areas of lower socio-economic status.