Key Statistics and Estimates

1. Annual Graduates vs. New Licenses:

   • Approximately 2,000 to 2,500 students graduate from dental schools in the Philippines each year.

   • The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) administers licensure exams twice a year. The number of new passers typically ranges between 1,200 and 1,800 annually.

   • This immediately creates a gap where not all graduates become licensed to practice.

2. The Oversupply Problem:

   • The Philippine Dental Association (PDA) has repeatedly stated that the country has an oversupply of dentists.

   • The dentist-to-population ratio is favorable on paper (about 1 dentist per 2,000 people; the WHO recommends 1:7,500), but this is heavily skewed towards urban centers like Metro Manila. Rural and remote areas suffer from a severe lack of dental professionals.

3. Estimated Unemployment/Underemployment:

   • There is no direct figure for "unemployed dentists," but sector analyses suggest that a significant portion of new and even experienced dentists are underemployed.

   • Many licensed dentists:

     • Wait years to establish or join a private practice due to high competition and setup costs.

     • Work in non-clinical roles (sales for dental companies, academe, administration).

     • Hold part-time or "rental chair" arrangements in clinics, earning only when they have patients.

     • Pursue careers abroad (as an OFW) after additional requirements, or leave the profession entirely.

The Root Causes

• Geographic Maldistribution: Jobs are concentrated in cities, but many graduates are from and stay in urban areas, avoiding rural posts.

• High Cost of Practice: Setting up a private clinic requires a massive investment (equipment, space, materials), which is prohibitive for new graduates.

• Saturated Urban Market: Competition in cities is intense, making it difficult to build a patient base.

• Public Sector Limitations: Government positions (e.g., in Rural Health Units) are limited, not always attractive in salary, and often require service in hard-to-reach areas.

Conclusion: The "No Work" Situation

While few licensed dentists are completely "unemployed" in the sense of having zero income, a more accurate description is:

• Underemployment is widespread. Many dentists are not working in full-time, stable, clinical positions that utilize their full training.

• It's common for new graduates to spend 1-3 years in a struggling or transitional phase—assisting, working part-time, or studying for further credentials—before securing a stable practice.

In essence, the problem isn't a lack of dental needs in the population, but a mismatch between the distribution of dentists, the opportunities available, and the economic realities of starting a practice. Your job posting, therefore, addresses a real need by offering a structured entry point into the profession for both assistants and front-desk staff, which are crucial support roles in this competitive landscape.