Data Report: 2016 Indiana Oral Health Licensure Survey

Abstract

Identifying supply and distribution of the professional oral health workforce is crucial in understanding the capacity to meet oral health needs and improve overall population health of Indiana citizens. Data presented in this report provide a snapshot of key demographic and practice characteristics for the oral health workforce. The 2016 Indiana Oral Health Licensure Survey Data Report presents key information derived from data collected from the dentist and dental hygienist re-licensure survey administered by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) during the license renewal period. In 2016 3,862 dentists and 4,946 dental hygienists renewed their professional licenses. Of these, 2,259 dentists and 3,231 dental hygienists reported having an Indiana practice address and were included in this report. Marion County encompasses the largest reported oral health workforce full-time equivalents (FTEs): 229.3 FTE for dentists and 309.8 FTE for dental hygienists. Based on the samples in this report, the greatest need for oral health professionals is in rural, less populous counties; 12 counties (Brown, Crawford, Martin, Newton, Ohio, Pike, Randolph, Pulaski, Switzerland, Starke, Union, Warren) reported 1.0 FTE or less for dentists in general practice or dental hygienists. A great need exists for pediatric dentistry since 81 counties had 0.0 FTE for pediatric dentists. Access to oral health care services is compounded by the low proportion of dentists who accept Medicaid (49.0%) and the fact that over three-quarters (79.6%) do not offer a sliding-fee scale. This report details important demographic and practice characteristics for the oral health workforce and examines these data specifically for dentists and dental hygienists. The 2016 Indiana Oral Health Licensure Survey Data Report presents a snapshot of data on the dentist and dental hygienist professions to provide stakeholders with information needed to improve the quality and accessibility of oral health care for Indiana residents through policymaking, workforce development, and resource allocation.