Annual ADEA Survey of Dental School Seniors: 2017 Graduating Class
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey (by design analogy, not clinical CEBM)
OpenAlex W2800131284 · doi:10.21815/jde.018.059
What was done
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) administered its annual cross-sectional survey to senior dental students in the graduating class of 2017 across all 65 U.S. dental schools. The survey evaluated student motivations, debt incurred, perceived preparation across subjects, and post-graduation career plans, achieving a 77.1% response rate.
What was found
Overall male and female representation was nearly equal, though gender distribution varied across race/ethnic groups: minority students had a higher proportion of females, whereas White students had a higher proportion of males. Average educational debt decreased slightly at public schools but increased by $40,000 to $287,405 at private institutions. The two most common immediate post-graduation plans were working in the private sector and entering an advanced dental education program. A majority of respondents expressed intentions to teach and to serve underserved populations at some point in their careers.
Why it matters
This national benchmark provides key demographic, financial, and workforce pipeline data to help dental school administrators and policymakers understand the educational debt burden and career trajectory of entering dental professionals.
Limits
The abstract does not state the absolute sample size (n), only the response rate. Findings rely on self-reported perceptions and career intentions rather than verified career outcomes, and results reflect a single cohort from U.S. dental schools in 2017.
Cited by
- contradicts Graduating dental students typically carry approximately $500,000 in student loan debt.