Territorial Inequity in Oral Health: Cross‐Sectional Geospatial Study of the Distribution of Dental Services in Colombia

BACKGROUND: Oral health services are central to population well-being, and their territorial distribution is a proxy for equity in access. Although Colombia incorporated oral health into the national benefits package nearly three decades ago, it is unclear whether service location reflects population needs. Therefore, this work seeks to answer the following research question: What is the quantity and geospatial distribution of oral-health services in Colombia at the departmental level, disaggregated by dental specialties? OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze the geospatial distribution of oral-health services in Colombia at the departmental level, disaggregated by dental specialties. METHODS: We performed a descriptive cross-sectional geospatial study. All dental services registered in the National Registry of Health Providers (REPS) as of March 2024 were retrieved, duplicates removed and service-to-population rates calculated. Geographic information systems were used to visualize spatial patterns. RESULTS: A total of 40,666 unique services were identified. General dentistry, orthodontics and dental radiology accounted for 74.9% of the supply, with 50.3% provided by independent practitioners. Service rates were highest in Antioquia, Bogotá D.C., Quindío and Caldas, and lowest in Vaupés and Vichada. Several Amazonian and Orinoquía departments had zero services in periodontics or paediatric dentistry. CONCLUSION: Colombia exhibits marked territorial inequities in dental service distribution, driven by market dynamics rather than public-health priorities.