Abstract

Objectives This study conducted a geospatial analysis of the distribution of the dental hygienist workforce relative to the distribution of the population in Ontario, Canada, aiming to address workforce imbalances and inform regional and international workforce planning.

Methods Geospatial analysis techniques were employed to examine the dental hygienist workforce distribution using anonymized datasets from the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (the professional regulatory body) and the Canadian census. The data were linked using the forward sortation area (FSA) component of Canadian postal codes, covering 520 FSAs across Ontario. Analyses were conducted at three levels, based on different aggregations of postal code data.

Results The study found significant variations in the distribution of dental hygienists across Ontario. The analysis revealed pockets of high dental hygienist density, mostly in urban areas, and areas with low dental hygienist rates, especially in rural and remote locations. The overall provincial rate was 97 dental hygienists per 100,000 population, with variation across the 520 FSAs, from zero to 20,000 dental hygienists per 100,000 population (or zero to 739 dental hygienists per 100,000 population if five outlier FSAs were removed).

Conclusions The study underscores the complexity of dental hygienist workforce distribution in Ontario, revealing significant geographical disparities that suggest areas of both oversupply and undersupply. These insights provide actionable guidance for workforce policies and regulatory strategies, such as targeted incentives and public health initiatives, to address the mismatch between workforce supply and population needs. The findings highlight the importance of regular geospatial analyses to track changes in workforce distribution over time. The rigorous methodological approach and comprehensive evaluation of potential limitations offer valuable guidance for similar analyses in other jurisdictions. By providing a detailed framework and insights that extend beyond Ontario, this study contributes to the global understanding of dental hygienist workforce dynamics and supports the development of informed policies on a broader scale.

Competing Interest Statement

Three co-authors (EB, KS, GP) are employed by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario which oversees the registration of dental hygienists in Ontario. The remaining author (MJD) has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Funding Statement

This research was funded by the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. Members of the CDHO participated in the study design and preparation of the manuscript. However, the findings do not necessarily represent the official views of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario.

Author Declarations

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. Public Register. 2024; https://publicregister.cdho.org/en-US1. Accessed on 27 March 2024. Statistics Canada. Data products, 2021 Census. 2024; https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/index-eng.cfm. Accessed on 27 March 2024. Statistics Canada. 2021 Census – Boundary files. 2024; https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/geo/sip-pis/boundary-limites/index2021-eng.cfm?year=21. Accessed on 27 March 2024.

I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals.

Yes

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

Yes

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable.

Yes

Data Availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its Additional files 1-8).

List of AbbreviationsCDHOCollege of Dental Hygienists of OntarioCIHICanadian Institute of Health InformationCOVID-19Coronavirus Disease 2019FSAForward Sortation AreaGISGeographic Information SystemsHTMLHyperText Markup Language