The aims of this study were to determine the professional profile of the 248 dentists graduated at Bauru Dental School - University of Sao Paulo between 1996 and 2000, verify if they accomplish educational and collective measures and determine the level of professional satisfaction. The material was a self-applicable questionnaire containing both multiple choice and open questions. The return rate was 39.5%. Analysis of data showed that the dentists, who were predominantly males, chose Dentistry as a profession because they felt comfortable with it, and evaluate the graduate course as good. Results showed that the practitioners still do not focus on the need of education and prevention in oral health, especially at the collective level. It was concluded that the predominant professional profile was to work at their dental office (38.8%) or at a peer's dental office, receiving an amount of the total profile (25.5%); 26.5% work with health mutual support and 12.2% work at public service. Although 63.3% are professionally realized, only 12.2% are economically realized. The great difficult is the increase in the competition between dentists and saturation of the dental work market.
Dental staff; Professional practice; Dentists; Questionnaires
