Dental students' dropout rates and professional practice adherence among graduates from a public institution

This study presents a quantitative analysis of data related to the dropout rates at the School of Dentistry at Federal University of South Mato Grosso (FAODO-UFMS) and graduates' professional activity, covering the period between its implementation in 1964 until the year 2015. The data obtained were associated with the existing admission system during the period. The graduates' adherence to the professional practice was investigated and the professional practice time of these graduates and of those ones from other Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in the state of South Mato Grosso (MS). A significance level of 5% was adopted. The Unified Selection System (USS) has a strong correlation with Dental School dropout rates at UFMS. There was no statistical difference in the comparison between students who were admitted by nationwide competition ( Vestibular ), quotas, or through the use of vacant positions. The average time extent of Dentistry's practice has decreased in MS in recent decades, being statistically lower for the UFMS' graduates than for those ones from other HEI (p<0.001). Of the graduates from the years 1971 to 1990, the percentage of those who have been/are in practice for over 30 years reached 71.43%. The dropout rates at FAODO-UFMS increased with the use of USS as an admission system. Both USS and increase in vacancy at FAODO-UFMS did not show favorable results when related to adherence to the course. The average time of practice for Dentistry in MS has been decreasing, especially for those not graduated from FAODO-UFMS.