Geographical Information System in Planning the Orthodontist Need: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the geographical distribution of all orthodontic patients who applied to Selcuk University Faculty of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics (SUDO) between 2000 and 2005. Materials and Method: Data in this study were obtained from computer records of patients who applied to SUDO between 2000 and 2005. Data were integrated into Arcview 3.3 geographical information system (GIS) software. By adding patient address data to the numeric maps of Turkey used in the GIS, spatial queries could be determined and spatial maps showing the geographical distribution of patients applying to SUDO were obtained. Results: The records of 9191 patients from 48 cities who applied for treatment to SUDO were examined. Distribution of patients' addresses by city was investigated. Accordingly, the highest demand for treatment was from Konya at 66.9% (1000–6147); second, the neighboring cities of Afyon at 0.76%, Karaman at 0.71%, and Aksaray at 0.57% (500–1000); third, Kuta...