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GIS mapping of healthcare practices: do older adults have equitable access to dental and medical care in the UK?

British Dental Journal (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Introduction Considering an ageing population with increasing comorbidities, access to oral and general healthcare is a growing concern. This study aimed to identify and compare access to dental and general practices. This study further aimed to ascertain if there exists a socioeconomic distribution of dental and general practices among older adults.

Materials and methods A total of 13,007 dental practices and 13,759 general practices were mapped using geographic information system software, and overlaid with the UK older adult population and deprivation data by health areas. Data analysis was carried out by creating a geographical distribution map and by using descriptive statistics, Gini coefficients and Lorenz curves.

Results NHS Central London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) held the highest dental practice-to-population ratio of 958 practices per 100,000 older adults, while NHS Manchester CCG held the highest general practice-to-population ratio of 264.4 general practices per 100,000 older adults. England had the highest Gini coefficients for general and dental practice at 0.214 and 0.195, respectively. Both dental and general practices were socioeconomically distributed among older adults in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not in Scotland.

Conclusions An increasing proportion of older adults need access to healthcare that is based on clinical need, not the ability to pay; a founding principle of the NHS. This nation-wide study captures inequities in the spatial accessibility for older adults in the UK.

Key points

  • Presents data on the geographic access to both general and dental practices for older adults.

  • Highlights current inequities in the distribution of healthcare practices in relation to older adults.

  • Presents a method of combining geographical statistical and mapping analysis, Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients in identifying disparities in access.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarship.

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  1. School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, 6009, Australia

    Olivia Jo

  2. Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Nedlands, Perth, 6009, Australia; International Research Collaborative Oral Health and Equity, University of Western Australia, Crawley, 6009, Australia

    Estie Kruger & Marc Tennant

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Jo, O., Kruger, E. & Tennant, M. GIS mapping of healthcare practices: do older adults have equitable access to dental and medical care in the UK?. Br Dent J (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3406-0

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