한국 치과의료이용에 대한 지역특성별 차이 분석

초록

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze dental healthcare resources and utilization patterns according to regional characteristics in Korea and to compare disparities in unmet dental care need ratesand subjective oral health status. Methods: Dental healthcare resources and utilization patterns were analyzed using data from theNational Health Insurance Statistics (NHIS) and the Population and Housing Census (2022). Descriptive statistics were performed on the distribution of dental healthcare resources, such asdental institutions, dentists, and dental hygienists per 100,000 people. Inflow and outflow indicesfor healthcare utilization were calculated using the number of days of inpatient and outpatient visitsfor oral diseases. In addition, the association between the type of local governance and unmet oralhealthcare needs, as well as subjective oral health status, was analyzed using the chi-square testwith the Community Health Survey (2022) data. Results: The number of dental institutions, dentists, and dental hygienists (per 100,000 people)in rural areas (such as “Urban and rural complex - si,” “Gun,” and “Gun with an established publichealth clinic”) was lower than in urban areas (such as a “[Special] metropolitan city”). The inflowand outflow indices for healthcare utilization by oral disease indicated higher outflows of patients tometropolitan areas. Furthermore, the chi-square analysis revealed that, for the “Gun with an established public health clinic,” more respondents reported unmet dental care needs and poor subjective oral health status (P<0.05). Conclusions: Dental healthcare resources were concentrated in metropolitan areas, and a relativelyhigher frequency of experience of unmet dental care needs was observed in rural areas. Therefore,policy responses are required to address the disproportionate distribution of dental healthcare resources according to regional factors.

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