State-based Distribution of US Pediatric Dentists in Private Practice

Purpose: To determine state-based and regional ratios of U.S. pediatric dentists to children in 2010 and determine changes since 2000. Methods: State-based enumeration of pediatric dentists in private practice (PDP) was determined from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's 2010 Membership Directory Number of children in each state was obtained from U.S. Census 2010 data. PDP ratio for each state was computed per 100,000 children. Changes in state-based PDP number and ratio to children were compared with 2000 data. Results: There were 4,453 pediatric dentists in private practice across the United States, with a ratio of 6.00 per 100,000 children. California (583), Texas (378), New York (310), and Florida (231) had the largest PDP numbers. The Southern region (1,609) had the largest PDP number, while the Midwest (706) had the lowest number. PDP ratio to children was highest in the Northeast (7.61) and lowest in the Midwest (438). With the exceptions of Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming, the PDP number and its ratio to children increased in all states between 2000 and 2010. Conclusions: Despite a generalized increase in practitioner number since 2000, noticeable differences persisted in 2010 among states in their pediatric dentist to children ratios.