Methods: State-based PDP numbers were derived from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s 2010 membership directory. Pediatric dentists who were in private practice in US Census Region 1 Division 1 (New England) consisting of the following 6 states were included: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Number of children (<18 years of age) in each state was obtained from Census 2010. The ratio of number of PDP per 100,000 children was computed for each state. Comparisons of 2010 PDP data were made with 2000 PDP workforce assessment reported for the United States (Pediatric Dentistry 2004; 26:526-529).
Results: There were 288 PDP practicing in New England in 2010 with the largest number in Massachusetts and the smallest number in Vermont. There were 9.14 PDP for every 100,000 children in New England in 2010 with the highest ratio in Massachusetts (10.78) and lowest ratio in Maine (3.28). PDP numbers increased in 5 of the 6 states between 2000 and 2010 with the exception of Vermont which showed a decrease from 9 to 7 pediatric dentists. Census data showed a decrease in the number of children in all the 6 states between 2000 and 2010 with the largest decrease in Vermont (12%) and the smallest decrease in Connecticut (3%). The PDP to children ratios therefore increased between 2000 and 2010 in all the states except Vermont which showed a decline from 6.10 to 5.42 PDP per 100,000 children.
Conclusions: Despite the decrease in the number of children in all the New England states between 2000 and 2010 pediatric dentist workforce increased in 5 of the 6 states with the exception of Vermont.