Regulation of the Professions. Results from Dentistry,
Abstract
A study of factors responsible for the variation in failure rates on clinical dental licensing examinations among the states was conducted. A recursive, three-equation path model was used and parameters were estimated via ordinary least squares. The exogenous variables were socio-economic, geographic, and characteristics of state dental practice acts. The endogenous (response) variables were dental income, supply pressure, and a logistic function of the failure rate. The analysis shosed statistically significant effects of region and supply pressure on failure rate. Decomposition of the equations of the model into direct and indirect effects showed that the amount of sunshine a state received had a strong direct effects showed that the amount of sunshine a state received had a strong direct effect on both supply pressure and failure rate, and an indirect effect on failure rate. States with high supply pressure have the most entry barriers for licensure. The results are consistent with previous econometric studies and strongly suggest that organized dentistry in many of the sunbelt states uses licensure as a gate to restrict competition and maintain a favorable economic climate. Public policy impacts of dental licensure practices are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 28, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA147924
Entities
People
- D. A. Freund
- J. D. Shulman
Organizations
- United States Army Institute of Surgical Research