Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Dental Healthcare Disparities in Korea, 1995∼2022

Background: The Korean healthcare system has made continuous efforts to reduce spatial disparities in medical accessibility across regions.However, healthcare professionals remain concentrated in Seoul, and for medical fields requiring ongoing care such as dentistry, these disparities in accessibility can influence the overall quality of life.This study examined how spatial inequality in the distribution of dental clinics evolved in response to changing economic conditions from 1995 to 2022.Methods: To quantitatively compare these disparities, this study employed the Gini coefficient and percentile ratio measures to assess age group-specific disparities.Results: The Gini coefficient showed a declining trend over time, indicating a gradual reduction in spatial inequality among dental clinics.However, disparities in treatment accessibility remain pronounced among the elderly population.Analysis of the mean center and central features at five-year intervals revealed no dramatic shifts, but a gradual southward movement was observed.In regions located in the southern part of the country, the mean center and central features remained largely consistent, suggesting that the shift in the national mean center and central features reflected the rapid growth of the southern part of Gyeonggi-do and the Gangnam area of Seoul.Conclusion: The spatial distribution of dental healthcare institutions in Korea has exhibited a gradual trend toward greater equilibrium over time.Nevertheless, disparities in accessibility across age cohorts-most notably, the persistent imbalance affecting the elderly population-remain critical issues that require resolution.Relocation of spatial centers reflects patterns of regional economic growth and demographic concentration, thereby underscoring the need for targeted policy interventions in the future.