Economic burden of becoming a dentist in Thailand

Objectives: To determine the overall estimated financial impact and related expenses incurred over the duration of an undergraduate Dental Degree in Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of all 658 dental undergraduates at Mahidol University (January 2016) used a self-administered questionnaire capturing demographics, living costs (food, transport, rent, utilities, recreation) and education-related expenses (textbooks, stationery, uniforms, student activity fees). Costs were summarized using medians; ANOVA tested mean differences between groups; p < 0.001 considered significant. Results: The estimated adjusted total cost of becoming a dentist was THB1,265,027 (USD 36,143.63) for students living at home and THB1,823,027 (USD 52,086.49) for those renting accommodation; renters had significantly higher yearly living expenses (p < 0.001). Most students (78.4%) were from middle-to-high socioeconomic status households, and about 95% received full financial support from family. Conclusion: The cost of a Thai undergraduate Dental Degree is a substantial barrier, particularly for students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, warranting policy attention to ensure equitable access.

Teerawat Tussanapirom, Prachya Siribal, Phiranat Trirattanaphinthusorn, Witchapat Kengtong, Piyada Gaewkhiew