Planning projections of dentists and dental specialists supply and demand in Lithuania until 2024

Since the country’s independence, the number of dentists and dental specialists in Lithuania constantly increased. The signs of increased competition among dentists and dental specialists are empirically observed in the country, therefore the planning of their supply and demand is acute for dental care system in Lithuania; in the unrestricted migration of professionals in the EU – acute internationally. The aim of the present study was to assess the self-perceptions of dentists and dental specialists about their demand in Lithuania; to prepare planning projections of supply and demand of dentists and dental specialists human resources in Lithuania until 2024. This study is the first to analyze dental health care services market in greater detail and structure planning projections of dental specialists’ supply and demand in Lithuania. It also updated planning projections of dentists’ supply and demand which were composed last time in 2006. The results of the study are useful for the authorities responsible for the planning and effective use of dentists’ and dental specialists’ human resources in Lithuania. The study data is the recommendation for Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania and universities, how to adjust the acceptance of students for dental studies and dental residency programs, how to distribute state-funded study places for residency specialties. Published data are useful for high school graduates who consider studying dentistry and dental students for choosing a residency program. The planning of dentists’ and dental specialists’ human resources is important in order to ensure the availability and quality of services provided, to guarantee optimum working conditions for dentists, lower the rate of emigration and effectively allocate public educational and health care system monetary resources