Analyzing Location-based Accessibility To Dental Services For Older Adults: A Spatial Approach For Addressing Disparities And Planning Services Grewal Y. Analyzing Location-Based Accessibility To Dental Services For Older Adults: A Spatial Approach For Addressing Disparities And Planning

Oral health is an essential component of general health. Thus, both availability and accessibility of dental services are essential in order to achieve optimal health. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the geographic distribution of Adults aged 65 years and older in Flushing (New York City, USA) by race/ethnicity, and poverty status. The access of the elderly to dental services was also analyzed as defined by the location of dental clinics providing specialist periodontal services and their proximity to the subway system train lines. Methods: ArcGIS software was used to create a geographic information system (GIS) that incorporated the relevant data from various sources. Individual and overlay maps were then produced to examine the access of the elderly to a periodontist in a specific area of NYC. Results: Spatial analyses demonstrated that elderly population within the minority groups and below poverty line, experience the greatest barriers to specialized dental care. In addition, transportation barriers that exist might inhibit access to dental care for the elderly that resided in these areas along with a major proportion of the population that was underserved. Conclusions: The multiple layers of juxtaposed information of local dental providers and distribution of the elderly population illustrated by GIS can help provide directions for planning oral health service delivery for the elderly. INTRODUCTION Oral health is an essential component of general health. The population of United States (U.S.) has shifted demographically with a relative increase in the population of baby boomers aged 65 years and older and with this shift in the aging population, the number of people requiring dental services has escalated [1] dramatically. Even though there is an increasing need for specialist dental providers with age such as periodontists, many segments of the population still experience barriers to accessing quality oral health care. It is interesting to note that the U.S. received a national