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. 2023 May 11;23(1):280.
doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-02987-z.

European inequalities and similarities in officially recognized dental specialties

Ignacio García-Espona  1   2 , Eugenia García-Espona  1 , José Antonio Alarcón  3 , Javier Fernández-Serrano  1
Affiliations

European inequalities and similarities in officially recognized dental specialties

Ignacio García-Espona et al. BMC Oral Health. .

Abstract

Background: Although the European Economic Space usually acts in a united and organized way, several main differences are found regarding the type and number of dental specialties all around this group of member states. The aim of the study is to analyse the inequalities and similarities existing between 21 European countries, highlighting the number and types of recognized dental specialties.

Methods: Available official documents and webpages from 20 out of the 30 countries of which the European Economic Space is comprised plus the United Kingdom (UK), were analysed to obtain reliable data referred to dental specialties. Differences were tested with the Lorentz curve and Gini test. Additionally, a Cluster analysis was performed to obtain groups of countries with a similar pattern in the number and type of dental specialties.

Results: Up to a total of 15 different specialties are officially recognized in all the analysed countries. Orthodontics (90%) and Oral Surgery (81%) are the two most frequently recognized specialties. The total global degree of inequality of the analysed countries was 40.2%. Cluster analysis differentiated three different main groups of countries according to the number and type of dental specialties.

Conclusions: The situation of dental specialties in the area of the EES plus the UK exhibits an unequal organization. Cluster analysis showed 3 main clusters of countries with a similar pattern of dental specialties.

Keywords: Dental specialties; Europe; Oral surgery; Orthodontics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Type and percentage of officially recognized dental specialties in EES countries plus the UK
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Lorentz curve representing the total global degree of inequality related to the number of dental specialties of the analysed countries
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Cluster analysis of the number of dental specialties in the analysed countries
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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