Journal of dental sciences
Universal coverage but unequal access: An area-level statistical and policy analysis of Taiwan's dental workforce
By Yeh CY, Yang SH, Su WC and 3 others.
Abstract
Background/purpose
Universal health insurance coverage does not necessarily ensure equitable access to dental care. This study examined Taiwan's dental workforce distribution using area-level statistical analysis and interpreted the findings through an oral health equity perspective.
Materials and methods
Publicly available county/city-level data on practicing dentists in Taiwan were analyzed. Dentist density was calculated as dentists per 10,000 population. Geographic variation was assessed using descriptive statistics, z-scores, quartile classification, highest-to-lowest ratio, coefficient of variation, and population-weighted Gini coefficient. Group differences were compared by geographic classification using Welch's t-test, Mann -Whitney U test, Hedges' g, and Cliff's delta. Findings were further mapped to global oral health equity priorities.