Table 1.

Summary of career paths for dental graduates.

Category	Job description	Location	Remarks
Private dentist	• Work as solo or in group (in partnership) practice • Provide comprehensive dental care for the public	Private clinic	• High flexibility • Freedom in dental practice • Owner or partner of dental clinic • Commission based remuneration
Dentist (employed)	• Provide comprehensive dental care for the public	Institutional clinic	• General dental practice • Fixed salary or depends on location
Government dentista	• Provide dental care for civil servants and their dependents; • Provide dental care for primary school pupils • Promote oral health for the public	Governmental dental clinic	• Government employee • Fixed salary • Opportunity for advanced training • Guidance from senior dentists
Hospital dentist	• Provide dental care for hospitalised patients and outpatients • Work in collaboration with a medical team	General hospital#; Dental hospital affiliated with dental school	• Fixed salary or depends on locations • Opportunity for advanced training
Civil servantb	• Engaged in service work in various state agencies	Government	• Stable job • high social status
Dental company consultant	• Serve as production technicians, managers, or sales of dental materials and equipment companies	Commercial company	• Good benefits • Broad perspective
Academics	• Teach and train dental students • Conduct dental research	University, college	• Summer/winter vacations • Stable income

The category in the table can be applied to the three places, (i.e. Hong Kong, Japan and mainland China), except for those with * and #.

^a The category is applied to Hong Kong.

^b The category is applied to Japan and mainland China.