Factors that influence minority dental students' career plans

Questionnaires were mailed to all 443 minority senior dental students and to a randomly selected control group of 200 nonminority seniors. Questions were asked about background income, debt, and future plans. Minorities reported lower family income, but similar debt levels. Minorities were more likely to locate in a minority community, less likely to enter solo practice. About one-third of each group stated that debt influenced practice plans. However, only the minority plans appeared to vary with debt: as debt increased, minorities were less likely to plan a solo private practice.