An analysis of the dentistry job market in the Southern region of Brazil

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the job market for dentists in the Southern region of Brazil, by means of the dentist:inhabitant and specialist:inhabitant relationship, aiming to improve the comprehension of the course of the profession and direct the professional performance. Therefore, data from the Brazilian National Council of Odontology and the Brazilian National Institute of Geography and Statistics have been collected in the period from 2003 to 2007. Based on these data, it has been observed the states of the Southern region of Brazil show dentist/inhabitant and specialist:inhabitant indexes higher than those recommended by the World Health Organization (1:1.500). The region concentrates 15.76% of all dentists in Brazil, and 8.95% of the total of specialists. Besides, it has been conclude that the specialties which have the greatest competition in this region are Orthodontics and Dental Prosthetics.