The growth of postdoctoral general dentistry programs.

Abstract

From 1972 to 1990, the number of Postdoctoral General Dentistry (PGD) programs increased by 57% and enrollment increased by 57% and enrollment increased by 131% for a total of 118 PGD programs and 1,367 positions. Although there has been some increase in military and Veterans Affairs (VA) programs, the major increase was in civilian programs. From 1972-78, the major impetus for growth was hospital sponsorship of General Practice Residency (GPR) programs. With federal funding of PGD programs, civilian GPR programs continued to be the main source of growth until the accreditation of Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) programs in 1981. Subsequently, almost all increases were in AEGD programs. Over the 12-year period of federal funding (1978-90), there was an increase of 406 civilian PGD positions to make a total of 925 positions. The increase in enrollment directly attributable to federal funding was 242. The "unmet demand" for PGD programs was estimated to be approximately 300 positions for 1990, from data derived from the Survey of Dental Seniors and the Matching Program. Assuming that the number of PGD positions continues to increase by 35 positions a year, as it has in the past 12 years, the unmet demand would be met in slightly less than 10 years. If, however, a postdoctoral year was mandated for licensure, the increase in the number of positions would be far short of projected need.