Annual ADEA Survey of Dental School Seniors: 2014 Graduating Class
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional national survey (graded by design analogy for non-clinical educational research)
OpenAlex W2605717852 · doi:10.1002/j.0022-0337.2015.79.9.tb06005.x
What was done
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) administered its annual national survey to the 2014 graduating class across all 58 accredited U.S. dental schools. The survey evaluated student career decisions, financing, debt burden, dental school experiences, postgraduate plans, and perceived preparation to treat diverse and underserved populations, comparing findings to previous years where applicable.
What was found
The survey achieved an 84% response rate across all 58 schools. Following graduation, 45% of respondents planned to enter private practice (65% of whom planned to work as associates) and 38% planned to pursue advanced dental education. Nearly 11% had no educational debt, while the remaining respondents averaged $247,227 in total educational debt. Over half planned to teach at some point in their careers, though few intended to do so immediately. Most seniors agreed their schools met their needs and adequately prepared them for culturally and ethnically diverse practice settings. One-quarter came from lower-income families; these students were more likely to have developed an interest in dentistry prior to undergraduate studies compared with higher-income peers.
Why it matters
This national snapshot provides baseline workforce pipeline data on the career trajectories, educational debt burdens, and demographic backgrounds of graduating U.S. dentists in 2014.
Limits
The abstract does not state the absolute number of respondents. Findings rely on self-reported intentions and perceptions rather than verified post-graduation employment, long-term debt repayment outcomes, or objective clinical competence assessments.
Cited by
- contradicts Graduating dental students typically carry approximately $500,000 in student loan debt.