Investigation of the medical institutions of stomatology and dental manpower distribution in Liaoning province

PURPOSE:The aim of this investigation was to determine and analyze the distribution of the medical institutions of stomatology and dental manpower in Liaoning province. METHODS:The data of institutions and manpower was collected by mass examination using tables filled by every institution and personally. Epidata 3.02 database was used to input the data and statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS12.0 software package. RESULTS:The results showed that there were 2155 dental institutions and 5617 dentists in Liaoning province. Among all the institutes,71.0% was private clinics. About 80.5% of institutions and 87.8% of dentists were in the urban area,which was significantly higher than the percent of dentists working in the rural area. The ratio between dentists and the general population was about 13.02/10 million. There were fewer dental auxiliary in dental institutions,the ratio between dentists,nurses and dental technician was 6:2:1. The title and degree of the dentists in the rural area were lower than those in urban area,but the dentists in the rural area provided service for a large population. CONCLUSION:The results suggest that the distribution of oral health resource in Liaoning province should be rationally readjusted,and continuing education and training should be strengthened in order to improve the efficiency of oral health service and social health justice.