title: Does mandatory postgraduate clinical training worsen geographic distribution of dentists in Japan?
abstract: Postgraduate clinical training for dentists has been mandatory in Japan since 2006. Hirata et al. reported that the geographic distribution of postgraduate dental trainees by prefecture in 2006 was worse than that of practicing dentists. This suggests that the postgraduate clinical training system could intensify the problem of distribution of dentists. In this study, therefore, we reviewed the geographic distribution of postgraduate dental trainees and practicing dentists between 2006 and 2010 in detail by city, ward, town and village by using the Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient. The results showed that while there was no significant worsening of geographic distribution of postgraduate dental trainees, the distribution of practicing dentists continued to deteriorate. A number of reasons may explain these findings: the clinical training system is based on a one-year employment contract, and dentists subsequently relocate as driven by the market; and geographic distribution among cities, towns and villages has worsened as a result of the merger of municipalities. The geographic distribution of practicing dentists is expected to deteriorate further if the number of dentists takes a downward turn in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously review the distribution of postgraduate dental trainees.
authors: Department of Social Dentistry, Tokyo Dental College.
authors: SoIchiro
authors: S
authors: Hirata
authors: Yoshikazu
authors: Y
authors: Okawa
authors: Hiroki
authors: H
authors: Sugito
authors: Shiro
authors: S
authors: Mataki
authors: Takaharu
authors: T
authors: Sakayori
authors: Yoshinobu
authors: Y
authors: Maki
authors: Takuo
authors: T
authors: Ishii
mesh_terms: D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D004497:Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007564:Japan; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D011365:Professional Practice Location / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013383:Suburban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data