The use of geographical information systems in examining variations in sociodemographic profiles of dental practice catchments: a case study of a Swansea practice.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to use a case study approach to illustrate the potential for using geographical information systems (GIS) to examine the provision of dental services in the UK. A major benefit of using GIS to examine sociodemographic profiles of patients on a dental register is to inform policy makers.


METHODS
We illustrate the advantages of such an approach by using a postcoded list of registered patients for a dental practice in Swansea. To be of value in this context, the maintenance of up-to-date and fully postcoded information by practitioners is vital. We draw attention to the advantages (and current limitations) of using deprivation indices in conjunction with such lists.


RESULTS
GIS has significant potential in analysing patterns of registration, and utilisation, of such services but, to date, there has been a relative dearth of studies that have developed such systems.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude by drawing attention to wider benefits of such software tools in the dental profession and outline a research agenda to take these issues further.
Higgs
Gary
G
GIS Research Centre, School of Computing, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, UK. ghiggs@glam.ac.uk
Richards
Wayne
W
D000328:Adult; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003710:Demography; D003752:Dental Health Services; D004651:Employment; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007256:Information Systems; D011050:Policy Making; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014852:Wales