Quantitative imbalance in dental education and distribution of odontologists in Brazil: trajectory from 1995 to 2015

Abstract

Abstract
Objectives: this study aimed to analyze the trajectory of undergraduate dentistry in Brazil, refer to the insufficient admissions for the course, and identify the recent availability and distribution of dentists in the country. Material and Methods: this quantitative-descriptive study used the public data from the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira to analyze the public and private offer of dentistry courses, admission vacancies, and graduated professionals from 1995 to 2015, in the Brazilian regions, as well as the idleness of vacancies through the ratio of totals in each year, of vacancies x admissions. Through the Federal Council of Dentistry, the recent availability and distribution of dentists in the country was identified until December 2016. Results: there was great expansion of dental courses, geographic inequality, and privatization of formation; significant job vacancy for dental care; and insufficient availability and inadequate distribution of dentists in the country. Conclusion: notably, the great expansion of dental education through private courses, dental training concentrated in the southeast part of the country, and the insufficient admissions in certain regions, lead to an unequal distribution of dental care professionals, according to the Brazilian Unified National Health System.