Dental School Deans’ Perceptions of Dental Education Costs and Dental Student Borrowing

• In Event: Curves in the Road: Career Choice Game Changers

Abstract

This paper stems from a study on the cost of dental education and dental student borrowing, to better understand dental education in the context of the changing economics of higher education. It reports the perspectives of dental school leaders by examining what they think about costs and issues surrounding borrowing. Data were collected from 42 deans using a survey. Deans believe that decreases in state appropriations drive up tuition and/or fees to a great extent and they are concerned about student indebtedness. Findings suggest that a number of factors that contribute to the increasing cost of a dental education and dental student borrowing also contribute to the increasing costs and student borrowing at most colleges and universities.

Authors

• Gwen Garrison, American Dental Education Association

• Dora Elias McAllister