Career development subsequent to general practice training

Career development after graduation from the advanced program in general dentistry at the Eastman Dental Center was studied by means of a mail survey. The majority of those who graduated (63.2 percent) over a ten-year period (1971-1981) practiced general dentistry. Fewer graduates specialized in recent years. Performance criteria in dental school or in the advanced training program could not predict later specialization. Dental school performance also proved to be of minimal value in determining who pursued an advanced degree or became involved in teaching. However, those exhibiting better performance in the advanced program in general dentistry often pursued advanced degrees, research, or teaching. Approximately 55 percent of those who graduated from this advanced program during the ten-year period were involved in full- or part-time teaching, and 35 percent were involved in research.