The impact of additional dental providers in the dental labor market on the income of private practice dentists.

This study estimates the impact that the entrance of hypothetical allied dental professionals into the dental labor market may have on the earnings of currently practicing private practice dentists. A simulation model that uses the most reliable available data was constructed and finds that the introduction of hypothetical allied dental professionals into the competitive California dental labor market is likely to have relatively small effects on the earnings of the average dentist in California.

Access to dental care and the capacity of the California dental care system.

The authors estimated the following levels of technical efficiency for three types of dental practices in California where technical efficiency is defined as the maximum output that can be produced from a given set of inputs: generalists (including pediatric dentists), 96.5 percent; specialists, 77.1 percent; community dental clinics, 83.6 percent. Combining this with information on access, it is estimated that the California dental care system in 2009-10 could serve approximately 74 percent of the population.

The oral health status of adults 65 and older in California:1995-2006.

There has been no overall change in the oral health of adults aged 65 years and older from 1995 to 2006. However, approximately 75 percent of the elderly in California were missing one or more teeth due to disease in 2006. Californians who are older, black, less educated, have low family income, and are current or former smokers are more likely to be missing teeth.

The effect of functional limitations on the demand for dental care among adults 65 and older.

In California, adults living in the community who have two or more of six functional limitations in activities of daily living outnumber adults who live in skilled nursing, intermediate care, and congregate living facilities by almost 2:1. In 2003, approximately 106,000 elderly women living in the community experienced two or more limitations in activities of daily living and were thus 40 percent less likely to access dental care relative to elderly women with fewer limitations.

The demand for dental care and financial barriers in accessing care among adults in California.

Receiving dental care is positively related to having dental insurance; being female; increasing age; being white, Hispanic or Asian; higher levels of education; higher levels of family income; better health status; and being unmarried. In contrast, being more likely to perceive financial barriers to receiving needed dental care is positively related to lacking dental insurance, being female, being younger, being black or other race, having less education, lower family income, and having worse health status.

Adult oral health status in California, 1995-2006: demographic factors associated with tooth loss due to disease.

The most recent 2006 estimates indicate that 60 percent of California adults did not experience tooth loss due to disease. However, about 39 percent were missing one or more teeth due to disease, and another 1 percent were edentulous. In an 11-year (1995-2006) pooled multivariate analysis, California adults who were older, less educated, racial/ethnic minorities, current or former smokers, or had lower annual incomes were more likely to be missing teeth.

How do we measure shortages of dental hygienists and dental assistants? Evidence from California: 1997-2005.

BACKGROUND: The authors examined the labor market for registered dental hygienists (RDHs) and dental assistants (DAs) in California from 1997 to 2005 to determine whether there was a shortage in either market. METHODS: This analysis used economic indicators interpreted within an economic framework to investigate trends in labor force numbers and market-determined wages for RDHs and DAs. Rising inflation-adjusted mean wages indicated a labor shortage, while declining inflation-adjusted mean wages indicated a labor surplus. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2002, the wages for RDHs increased 48 percent and then stabilized, indicating a shortage had occurred, after which the market achieved equilibrium. Wages for DAs increased 13.9 percent from 1997 to 2001, but then declined from 2001 to 2005, indicating a shortage that then became a surplus. The market for DAs may not have stabilized. CONCLUSIONS: Wages increased for RDHs and DAs, suggesting that labor shortages occurred in both markets. The large supply response in the market for DAs resulted in wages declining after their initial rise. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Tracking the local labor markets for RDHs and DAs will enable dental professionals to respond more efficiently to market signals.