Orthodontic Manpower Distribution, Activity and Need in the Great Lakes Society of Orthodontists

Abstract

A manpower survey was conducted by the Great Lakes Society of Orthodontists in early 1977. Permission was obtained from the Society to use a portion of the survey for this thesis, namely: Years since graduation of the respondents, community size in which the respondents practiced, busyness of their practices, number of new patient starts in 1976, change in patient load, and the respondents' opinion of the need for more orthodontists. Statistically, the data was compiled as to percent response by state and as a Region. Mean and standard deviation were obtained and the above factors were then correlated yielding the following findings: The number of orthodontists has increased for the Great Lakes Region, but this increase is showing a leveling off. Except for the province of Ontario and the State of Indiana, the community size in which orthodontists practice is dispersed and not located in large communities. Most orthodontists are starting 90 or more patients per year. Most orthodontists report an increase in their practices, but feel they are seeing fewer patients than they could accommodate comfortably and are less busy than they would like. Few orthodontists in the United States section of the Great Lakes Region feel increases in the numbers of orthodontists are warranted.