A Manpower Study of Orthodontic Specialists for the State of Indiana

Abstract

Dental manpower has been studied at national, state and local levels.2, 4, 6, 11, 14, 15, 17-19 Manpower studies of orthodontic specialists also have been conducted,1, 5, 13, 16 but there has been no recent manpower study relative to orthodontic specialists in Indiana. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the busyness and distribution of orthodontic specialists in Indiana and project the need for orthodontists. In early 1990 a survey questionnaire was mailed to Indiana orthodontists. A telephone survey of orthodontic receptionists/appointment clerks was conducted during the same time period to obtain a separate source of data relative to practice busyness and to help evaluate the reliability of the mailed survey questionnaire. The distribution of orthodontists was evaluated by comparing the state population-to-orthodontist ratio to county and regional ratios. The response rate of the mailed survey questionnaire was 91 percent. The ages of orthodontists were evenly distributed with the exceptions of the 46-50 year age group and groups approaching retirement ages. The perceived level of busyness was low with a busyness index of 1.32. A relatively short wait was necessary to examine and start new patients, and few reported a waiting list. There was a high response emphasizing no need for additional orthodontists. Seventy percent felt that they were not busy enough; 99 percent reported that they would like more patients; and many desired large numbers of additional patients (41 or more). A large number of orthodontists had satellite offices or were considering establishing satellite offices with an insufficient patient base listed as the primary reason. There was a significant difference between the number of additional patients desired based on the age of the orthodontist. More orthodontists reported that patient loads were remaining the same or declining rather than increasing. The present data did not support the premise that the number of patients started was less than that seen in previous studies, suggesting that the low perception of busyness may be related to other factors such as a more recent decline in patient load, improved efficiency, decreased profitability or a combination of these or other factors. The telephone survey differed significantly from the mailed survey questionnaire indicating a possible bias in the survey questionnaire. A geographic maldistribution of orthodontists in Indiana was found. A slight increase in the number of orthodontists over the next decade would be necessary to maintain the present population-to-orthodontist ratio. However, the declining child population, representing the majority of orthodontic patients, will require a reduction in the number of orthodontists to maintain the present adjusted population-to-orthodontist ratio or patient-to orthodontist ratio over the next two decades.