Information on dental demographic, dental needs, dental providers and the distance from the closest dental institution is necessary to plan for effective delivery of public oral health services. Geographical catchment area of dental hospitals often plays a major role in distribution of adequate health services .Aim of the study is to assess the geographical distribution of patients attending the institution to define the catchment zones and to investigate the changes in the pattern of

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... distribution of patients. 6000 new patients visiting Coorg institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital in the months of January to December in the calendar year 2018 meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the sample. Demographic details along with their location of residence were recorded. A total of 58,982 new patients visited Coorg institute of dental sciences and hospital in the calendar year of 2018.Highest number of patients were reported in the month of December followed by may indicating that hospital has a fairly large catchment zone covering a distance approximately up to 100kms from which 95 % patients reported overlapping those of private dental clinics.