Abstract

Dr. Dhanya Raghunathan*, Dr. Deepti Vadavi, Dr. Harikiran A.G.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Oral diseases are considered as one of the major public health problems globally. An efficient dental manpower planning model can significantly contribute to a healthy nation. This review appraises the various dental manpower planning mechanisms in different countries. Methodology: After a thorough literature search, by using appropriate MESH terms and Boolean Operators, a total of 38 articles were obtained after applying the eligibility criteria. Results: The various studies have been categorised under four main themes. These themes dealt with the various health manpower planning models, dental manpower planning mechanisms including need based, demand based models, Health and Oral health care workforce in different countries. The use of GIS mapping has become a potential tool in manpower planning. The common dental manpower planning models are need based and demand based models. Need-based planning methods use empirical assessments of the risks to and levels of health in populations as a determinant of the health care services they require whereas the demand for dental services is defined as multivariate functional relationships between quantities of dental services that its members desire to consume over a relevant time period at given levels of prices and goods of services, financial resources etc. A SWOT analysis of manpower planning in India revealed the need for an efficient manpower planning mechanism with equitable distribution of dentists in rural and urban areas. Conclusion: These mechanisms helped us to identify the existing lacunae in India’s dental manpower planning and addressed the need for an efficient planning mechanism.