Dental Practice Distribution: Challenging Assumptions about Deprivation and Access.

Aim To examine the distribution of dental practices across deprivation deciles, using data from Bristol Local Health Authority. Materials and Methods Analysis of dental practice density (dentists per 10,000 residents) across the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) deciles. Decile 1 represents the most deprived areas and decile 10 the least deprived. Results A non-linear relationship was observed between deprivation and dental practice density. Deprivation did not predict dental practice distribution, with upper-middle deciles showing the highest provision. The least deprived decile (10) had the lowest NHS dental practice density (0.36 per 10,000 residents). The most deprived areas (deciles 1–3) showed variable practice densities (0.52, 0.93, 0.53). Conclusion Multiple demographic factors and market forces influence practice density. Commissioning strategies must incorporate data on these factors, rather than relying on deprivation indices. Areas with large populations, but little NHS dental provision, may require distinct policy responses.