Comparing human resource planning models in dentistry: A case study using Canadian Armed Forces dental clinics

Objectives: To compare two methods of allocating general dentists to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) dental detachments: a dentist-to-population ratio model and a needs-based model.

Methods: Data obtained from CAF sources were analysed to compare models. Times assigned to treatment plan procedures were used as a proxy for treatment needs. Full-time equivalents (FTEs) were used as an indicator for the number of dentists allocated to each detachment. FTE values were adjusted for military dentists to account for time spent on compulsory nonclinical duties. The paired-samples t test was used to assess differences between the models for all clinics (dental detachments) and by clinic size.

Results: The dentist-to-population ratio model for the CAF population (n=68 183) estimated an allocation of 83.25 FTE general dentists to CAF dental detachments. Based on a systematic sample of the CAF population (n=2226), the needs-based model estimated the requirement for 64.71 FTE general dentists. The average difference between models was 0.71 FTE (SE=0.273), which was statistically significant (P=0.015). In terms of differences by clinic size, differences were more pronounced in clinics serving more than 4000 CAF personnel (2.63 FTEs, SE=0.613, P=0.008).

Conclusions: The findings reveal differences between estimation models of <1 FTE, with higher estimates produced from the dentist-to-population ratio model. A larger difference was found in clinics with larger populations. The perceived overestimation of dental human resource requirements suggests that changing to a needs-based model may result in cost savings.