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Distribution of Private Dental Healthcare Facilities in Riyadh City: A GIS-Based Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Najla S. Alrejaye

    (Department of Dental Services, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
    Department of Preventive Dental Science, College of Dentistry, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
    King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia)

  • Faisal H. Alonazi

    (Internship Unit, College of Dentistry, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia)

  • Zaid M. Alonazi

    (Internship Unit, College of Dentistry, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia)

  • Rahf S. Alobaidi

    (Internship Unit, College of Dentistry, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia)

  • Asma B. Alsaleh

    (Internship Unit, College of Dentistry, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia)

  • Alanoud A. Alshami

    (Internship Unit, College of Dentistry, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia)

  • Sultan A. Alshamrani

    (Internship Unit, College of Dentistry, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia)

  • Seena T. Kaithathara

    (Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Background: The dental healthcare private sector in Riyadh city has been growing rapidly over the past few years; however, there is a lack of information on the accessibility and spatial distribution of private dental healthcare facilities (PDHFs) in the area. This study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution of PDHFs in Riyadh city in relation to population density in each sub-municipality. Methods: The current information regarding the number, location, and operability of PDHFs in Riyadh city was obtained from the Ministry of Health. A total of 632 operating PDHFs were included with the precise location plotted on Quantum Geographic Information System software (version 3.32.1, Essen, Germany) using Google Earth. Four levels of buffer zones—1 km, 3 km, 5 km, and >5 km—were determined. The population statistics and mean monthly individual income per district were gathered from Zadd.910ths. Microsoft Excel (version 16.0, Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) and RStudio software (version 4.1.3, Posit Software, PBC, Boston, MA, USA) were used for additional data analysis. Results: There was an overall ratio of one PDHF per 9958 residents in Riyadh city. Olaya and Maather sub-municipalities had the largest PDHF-to-population ratios: (1:4566) and (1:4828), respectively. Only 36.3% of the city’s total area was within a 1 km buffer zone from a PDHF. There was an overall weak positive correlation between the number of PDHFs and the total area in each sub-municipality (r = 0.29), and the distribution of PDHFs was uneven corresponding to the area (G* = 0.357). Conclusions: There was an uneven distribution of PDHFs in Riyadh city. Some areas were underserved while others were overserved in several sub-municipalities. Policy-makers and investors are encouraged to target underserved areas rather than areas with significant clustering to improve access to care.

Suggested Citation

  • Najla S. Alrejaye & Faisal H. Alonazi & Zaid M. Alonazi & Rahf S. Alobaidi & Asma B. Alsaleh & Alanoud A. Alshami & Sultan A. Alshamrani & Seena T. Kaithathara, 2024. "Distribution of Private Dental Healthcare Facilities in Riyadh City: A GIS-Based Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-12, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:7:p:959-:d:1440305
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alla Talal Alsharif, 2020. "Georeferencing of Current Dental Service Locations to Population Census Data: Identification of Underserved Areas in Al Madina, Saudi Arabia," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, December.
    2. Bullen, Nina & Moon, Graham & Jones, Kelvyn, 1996. "Defining localities for health planning: A GIS approach," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 42(6), pages 801-816, March.
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