- Joined
- Dec 1, 2000
- Messages
- 2,938
- Reaction score
- 657
Here are some real world numbers about why the future of dentistry is very promising for us current young professionals and future professionals. These are numbers for my home state, Connecticut, and demographically across the country the numbers are similiar(atleast that's what the ADA's central office tells me).
In CT, we currently have a little over 2500 licensed dentists (85% are members of the ADA). Of those 2500, a little over 60% (or roughly 1500 are age 50 or older) and anticipated to retire within 15 years. Over the past 10 years, an average of 50 new dental licenses have been granted by the state of CT per year. Of these new licenses, almost 50% are for female dentists. Thats the data. So over the next 15 years we in CT are expected to have 1500 retirees and only 750 new dentists Now here is where the 50% female licenses comes into play, and this is not meant to be sexist at all. On average, female dentists do not practice full time due to many reasons (family, etc, etc). The average female dentist in CT works approximately 1/3rd less hours per week compared to the average male dentist as per a recent survey of the CT state dental association membership.
Now those numbers start to look more like the following, 1500 retirees, 750 new dentists (375 male, 375 female - females on average working 1/3rd less than males so the female real number is more like 250). Now it becomes 1500 retirees and 625 new dentists over the next 15 years. Last fact, Connecticut has the highest per capita income (just ahead of New Jersey) of any state in the US.
It's good to be a younger dentist!
In CT, we currently have a little over 2500 licensed dentists (85% are members of the ADA). Of those 2500, a little over 60% (or roughly 1500 are age 50 or older) and anticipated to retire within 15 years. Over the past 10 years, an average of 50 new dental licenses have been granted by the state of CT per year. Of these new licenses, almost 50% are for female dentists. Thats the data. So over the next 15 years we in CT are expected to have 1500 retirees and only 750 new dentists Now here is where the 50% female licenses comes into play, and this is not meant to be sexist at all. On average, female dentists do not practice full time due to many reasons (family, etc, etc). The average female dentist in CT works approximately 1/3rd less hours per week compared to the average male dentist as per a recent survey of the CT state dental association membership.
Now those numbers start to look more like the following, 1500 retirees, 750 new dentists (375 male, 375 female - females on average working 1/3rd less than males so the female real number is more like 250). Now it becomes 1500 retirees and 625 new dentists over the next 15 years. Last fact, Connecticut has the highest per capita income (just ahead of New Jersey) of any state in the US.
It's good to be a younger dentist!