Estimated needs of dental schools for construction, expansion, and remodeling for the next 5 years, 1959-63 [Basis: Receipt of matching grant funds from Federal Government] B. CONSTRUCTION OR REMODELING PLANS, 1959-63 58455-60-6 COUNCIL ON DENTAL EDUCATION, AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION-Continued Estimated needs of dental schools for construction, expansion, and remodeling for the next 5 years, 1959-63—Continued Estimated needs of dental schools for construction, expansion, and remodeling for the next 5 years, 1959–63 [Basis: Receipt of matching grant funds from Federal Government] B. CONSTRUCTION OR REMODELING PLANS, 1959-63 58455-60-6 Estimated needs of dental schools for construction, expansion, and remodeling for the next 5 years, 1959–63—Continued [Basis: Receipt of matching grant funds from Federal Government] Mr. ROBERTS. What is the dentist population ratio at the present time? Dr. BURKET. At the present time there are 55.9 dentists per 100,000. That includes all dentists. The figure for active dentists available for the civilian population is a ratio of 45.3 per 100,000. Mr. ROBERTS. How does that compare with 10 years ago? Dr. BURKET. I have the figures for 1930 right here. Mr. ROBERTS. That will be all right. I just wanted to compare to see if we are keeping up with the expanding population. Dr. BURKET. Sir, we are not keeping up with it. We are losing ground slightly. In 1940, there were 49.6 dentists per 100,000. In 1950, there were 45.3. In 1958, there were 45 dentists per 100,000. The projected figures go up to 1975, at which time there is a projected estimate of 42.5 dentists unless immediate steps are taken to correct this decline. Mr. ROBERTS. What would happen in the event of another war? Would these shortages be greatly accentuated, in your opinion, by the calling of dentists into the service? Dr. BURKET. There is no question about that, sir. They were in the last war and I can foresee the same thing in the event of a future armed conflict. In fact, I would assume that they would be much more acute because of our increasing population and more of our population reaching an older age group in which there is still greater need for dental services. Mr. ROBERTS. About how long, in your opinion, does it take a dentist to get on a sustaining basis after he enters practice? We are familiar with the type of equipment he buys but, generally speaking, how long does it take him to begin to show a little on the black side of the ledger? Dr. BURKET. I think that depends to a great extent on which part of the country he opens up his practice. As you know, there is an inequitable distribution between dentists as with physicians. In certain portions of the country he will become self-sustaining more rapidly than in others. Perhaps Dr. Herz can answer that. Dr. HERZ. In California, it does not take that long because the population is expanding and communities are growing so rapidly that dental and medical facilities are needed very badly and within a very short time they have very fine practices. Mr. ROBERTS. I believe your State has about the highest per capita income of any State, has it not? Dr. HERZ. Yes, the latest statistics show that we have the largest per capita income. Mr. ROBERTS. What about the supply of technicians and hygienists? Is that adequate at the present time? Dr. BURKE. That is most inadequate and that is one of the important hopes for the future. I omitted a certain portion from our prepared statement which indicates that if funds were available for modernization and improvement of existing facilities that between the period of 1959 and 1963, 37 schools would plan to expand their |