Trends in Financing Dental Education, 2004-05 to 2011-12

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Health Economics
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Dental school finances have shifted significantly between 2004-05 and 2011-12.
• Declining state support impacts public dental schools.
• Reduced university subsidies affect private dental schools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze financial trends in U.S. dental schools over a seven-year period.
• To identify key revenue and expenditure factors influencing dental school finances.
• To assess the long-term sustainability of current dental school financial models.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the American Dental Association (ADA) annual financial survey data.
• Examination of financial trends for both public and private U.S. dental schools.
• Identification of factors influencing dental school expenditures, including student enrollment and research.

Main Results:

• Public dental schools saw a 68.6% increase in tuition revenue alongside a 17.2% decrease in state support.
• Private dental schools experienced a 38.9% rise in tuition revenue but a 77.9% decline in university indirect subsidies.
• Expenditures were primarily influenced by student numbers, faculty practice, and research activities.

Conclusions:

• Dental schools exhibit increased financial dependence on tuition and fees.
• The strategy of passing increased operating costs to students may be unsustainable.
• Slowing dentist income growth and high student debt pose long-term financial challenges for dental education.