Ideal Dentist to Population Ratio

[Titus Times]

After reading so many of these threads on how dentist in California and New York have sooo much competition and not enough patients, the idea of over saturation has been spread enough that people assume no city in the US has room for another dentist.

I live in NC and we are about 47th (3rd from the highest shortage) on the list of shortage states for dentistry we have about 4.4 dentist per 10,000 people.



My questions are.

1. What is the ideal Dentist to population ratio for a dentist to have a successful practice

2. What is the ideal ratio for a dentist to have the opportunity for multiple booming practices.

3. And finally I would like to hear an experience, if possible from a dentist who practiced/practices in a city and how the ratio truly effects a practice.



I appreciate any other constructive input on the subject as well

Thank you.

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[J2OS]

From what I know an ideal practice has about 2000 active patients. In any given population not everyone will go to the dentist due to personal belief or lack of perceived need. Thus, you need more than 2000 people per dentist for each to have a stable practice. Given the numbers you have provided there is no shortage of dentists in N.C.

There is no shortage of dentists in the United States. All this dental shortage talk is based on projected population growth and retirement of current dentists. However with the current economy many dentists are not retiring and many people are not having kids. Those who say there is a shortage are promoting a personal agenda. I don't care how small a community, with very few exceptions, there is dental care available. With modern transportation anyone who wants care can find it. Also, with just about every state offering free dental care to disadvantaged children there is no excuse for children to go without treatment. If and when this does occur it is failure on the part of the parents not because a shortage of dentists.

 

[beannaithe]

J2OS is right on. From what I've read, you need about 2000 active patients to keep a doctor's schedule full ~32 hours a week. Though when you're trying to figure out the dentist to population ratio, remember that not everyone goes to to the dentist and some only go in an emergency. So a dentist to population ratio will actually need to be higher for you to have a comfortable, thriving practice. From your numbers, NC is pretty comfortable in terms of providing enough patients for a dentist.

I think when the number crunchers come up with their shortage numbers, they take into account that everyone goes to the dentist every six months. We all know that's not true! Since probably just about half of the population goes for regular recalls, it seems like the number might be more like 4.4/5000.

 

[Titus Times]

From what I know an ideal practice has about 2000 active patients. In any given population not everyone will go to the dentist due to personal belief or lack of perceived need. Thus, you need more than 2000 people per dentist for each to have a stable practice. Given the numbers you have provided there is no shortage of dentists in N.C.

There is no shortage of dentists in the United States. All this dental shortage talk is based on projected population growth and retirement of current dentists. However with the current economy many dentists are not retiring and many people are not having kids. Those who say there is a shortage are promoting a personal agenda. I don't care how small a community, with very few exceptions, there is dental care available. With modern transportation anyone who wants care can find it. Also, with just about every state offering free dental care to disadvantaged children there is no excuse for children to go without treatment. If and when this does occur it is failure on the part of the parents not because a shortage of dentists.

Well this ratio is given on a spread across the whole NC, we actually have counties that don't have dentist for over 100 miles. Like not a dentist in that area code period, that counts as a shortage Tyrell county I know specifically has a major shortage such as the one I mentioned.

The problem is that some of these areas only have a population of about 4000-12000. And when we talk about the dentist that have not retired because of the economy I think that this only further alludes to the point that there is a looming shortage. Its like adding interest, for all the dentist postponing retirement, more dentist are approaching retirement right. So when the economy bounces back, all of those dentist will retire nearly at once in theory.

And when Obamacare goes through and everyone has insurance, people will certainly make there way to the dentist once again in theory Right?

 

[hellopeople]

Well this ratio is given on a spread across the whole NC, we actually have counties that don't have dentist for over 100 miles. Like not a dentist in that area code period, that counts as a shortage Tyrell county I know specifically has a major shortage such as the one I mentioned.

The problem is that some of these areas only have a population of about 4000-12000. And when we talk about the dentist that have not retired because of the economy I think that this only further alludes to the point that there is a looming shortage. Its like adding interest, for all the dentist postponing retirement, more dentist are approaching retirement right. So when the economy bounces back, all of those dentist will retire nearly at once in theory.

And when Obamacare goes through and everyone has insurance, people will certainly make there way to the dentist once again in theory Right?

If I'm not mistaken, the Affordable Care Act will not provide free (tax subsidized) dental insurance.

 

[Titus Times]

If I'm not mistaken, the Affordable Care Act will not provide free (tax subsidized) dental insurance.

So this legislation wont have an effect on dentistry? And if not that would mean people would need two insurance policies one for health, and the other for dental health?

I heard this before but im not sure how that would actually play out.

 

[J2OS]

Like I said... anyone who wishes to claim there is shortage is feeding a personal agenda. Right now you wish to justify your entrance into dentistry as a profession thus regardless of what you hear, you will believe there is a shortage. Once you graduate you will quickly learn that the reality is no shortage exists.

As far as the economy recovering... this will take years. Schools are pumping out more grads than dentist retiring now and in the future. Thus the market will be saturated for years to come. Also, the quality of graduates will decline along with that the quality of work. There will also be more aggressive treatment planning just to pay the bills. All are negatives to the profession and to the public welfare.

So no dentists in Tyrrell County? To say you need a dentist in every area code is a joke. It means nothing. In regard to Tyrrell County... well for one its a swamp... so are you sure there are even people with teeth living there? Regardless, a private practice in Tyrrell county would have difficulty surviving. There is limited population and median household income is low. Most people living there travel out to the surrounding areas often due to need or desire while very few people travel into Tyrrell county for need or desire. Thus, a smart dentist would set up a practice on the outskirts of Tyrrell county where the could draw on multiple surrounding communities. In fact if you look at the area this is what you see. In Plymouth NC approx 30 miles outside of Columbia NC (which is in Tyrrell) you will find two dentist and a community health center that offers dental care. In Edenton NC, once again 30 miles outside of Columbia Tyrrell County you find about 3 more dentists. Then if you travel east to Manteo and Nags head there are about 20 dental offices. And for those who live in southern Tyrrell county the can travel a short distance to Belhaven and see a dentist too.

All these offices are 30 minutes away. Now I don't know about you but I travel that far to work and I know some dentists that travel further. In addition my dentist who I see in a midsize city is 30 minutes from my house. I see no reason why in this day and age a patient cant travel 30 minutes to the dentist.... I do.

Finally, dental insurance has always been separate from medical insurance... people have always needed separate policies. Titus... man... you gotta get outa Tyrrell County one of these days... there is whole world out there waiting for you to experience.

 

[hellopeople]

So this legislation wont have an effect on dentistry? And if not that would mean people would need two insurance policies one for health, and the other for dental health?

I heard this before but im not sure how that would actually play out.

I'm not saying that the ACA won't affect the dental profession. I'm just saying that, as far as I know, there will be no mandate for the individual to get dental insurance, and no tax/fee based incentive for businesses to increase dental coverage for employees. As a result, I doubt it will have an effect on the number of people showing up for care.

If I understand correctly, the ACA does call for an excise tax on some dental equipment, dental therapist pilot programs, and some adjustment to the way Medicaid patients are processed.

 

[OffAngleHatchet]

Ideal ratio? There is no such thing. And an ideal practice with 2000 patients? In some places, sure. Others no.

There are successful dentists in metro areas with a ratio of 1:600 because the local zoning laws forbid medical/dental buildings in the residential areas. Some places have awesome ratios but the character of the population is such that they don't value dentistry.

The guidelines you see and hear about are just that: guidelines. Ratios are but one piece of the puzzle. But when all else is equal, it will be easier for you to maintain a successful practice in an area where ratios are in your favor.