World dental demographics

Abstract

Aims: To collect basic data regarding dental workforce and dental education in all countries of the world and to make this data available on the FDI's Website.

Method: A postal questionnaire survey.

Sources of information: Member Associations of the FDI and governmental agencies.

Results: Responses were received from 73 countries with a reported total number of dentists of 703,947. A comparison between the figures now reported and the figures published in 1990 shows that the total number of dentists in these countries has increased by 27.8 per cent over the ten year period. No correlation was found between the population per dentist figures and the GNP of the countries. In the reporting countries, there were 550 dental schools. A comparison between the figures now reported and the figures published in 1990 shows that the total number of dental schools in these countries has increased by 42.6 per cent over the ten year period. The total number of dental hygienists was reported to be 181,336 and the total number of dental technicians in these countries was reported to be 252,004.