Assessing price sensitivity in dental education and implications on student diversity

Abstract

Increasingly, the price of professional school is seen as a potential deterrent for interested students. Data collected by the American Dental Association (ADA) from the 66 U.S. dental schools showed the average 4‐year nonresident tuition and fees totaled $321,575 in 2018–2019, 35% greater than in 2008–2009, after adjusting for inflation. The aim of this study was to assess whether dental education pricing has impacted applications, enrollments, and yield rates, particularly among students underrepresented in dentistry. Utilizing 7 years of ADA data across all 66 U.S. dental schools, OLS regression, fixed effects, and random effects models were used to examine the data in both cross‐sectional and longitudinal analyses. OLS regression results show higher priced schools have higher rates of applications, admittances, and enrollment but lower yield rates. The inverse relationship between yield and tuition prices suggests, on average, students are sensitive to price when deciding whether to accept a spot at dental schools. Focusing on students underrepresented in dentistry, the results indicate that African American and Hispanic or Latino students are price sensitive: fewer of these students enroll in higher priced dental schools, and the relationship persists over time. In other words, fewer African American and Hispanic or Latino students enroll in U.S. dental schools as tuition increases over time. The salary potential is high for dental graduates, but social and cultural capital are significant factors in making students aware of a dental career. These findings suggest the breadth and scope of pipeline programs need to be enhanced to reach these potential students.

Latino dentists in the U.S. Census from 1980 to 2019: Implications for dental care access

“…Dental education is costly; a recent study utilizing data from the American Dental Association revealed that “average 4‐year nonresident tuition and fees totaled $321,575 in 2018–19” across all 66 accredited US dental schools at that time. [28] The same work highlighted underrepresented students in dentistry. African American and Hispanic/Latino students were “price‐sensitive”; that is, they were less likely to enroll in higher‐priced schools, compounding the shortage of dental graduates.…”

Factors that influenced students to matriculate at a northeastern dental school: A comparative study

“…From 2008–09 to 2018–19, the American Dental Association (ADA) reports that the average total cost of attending dental school increased by 35% after adjusting for inflation. Consequently, the average debt was 30% greater for 2019 compared to 2009 dental graduates after adjusting for inflation 14 . When discussing admissions, yield refers to how many students accept a program's admittance offer.…”

“…When discussing admissions, yield refers to how many students accept a program's admittance offer. National data collected by the ADA shows that the higher a program's tuition, the lower the yield 14 . While this suggests that applicants consider price when selecting a program, the ADA has not queried students on their reasoning for selecting a dental school.…”

“…Consequently, the average debt was 30% greater for 2019 compared to 2009 dental graduates after adjusting for inflation. 14 When discussing admissions, yield refers to how many students accept a program's admittance offer. National data collected by the ADA shows that the higher a program's tuition, the lower the yield.…”

“…National data collected by the ADA shows that the higher a program's tuition, the lower the yield. 14 While this suggests that applicants consider price when selecting a program, the ADA has not queried students on their reasoning for selecting a dental school. This study may explain the inverse relationship between cost and yield from the student perspective and serve as an indicator of student attitudes towards the increasing cost of dental education.…”