Computer Science

Professional values of dentists in the Republic of Korea: Influence of clinical experience and competitive pressure

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Background: Dentists’ professional values are shaped by means of both career stage and competitive environments. The authors examined how clinical experience and perceived competitive pressure influence Korean dentists’ professional values and explored their broader applicability. Methods: An online cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted in May 2024 among 28,949 members of the Korean Dental Association, of whom 1,932 completed the questionnaire. Professional values (eg, prestige, service, business expansion, scholarly pursuit, lifestyle, autonomy, and the dentist-patient relationship) were assessed as outcome variables and the following 2 explanatory variables were examined: years of clinical experience and perceived competitive pressure. Data were analyzed using t tests, 1-way analysis of variance, and multivariable linear regression analyses (α = .05). Results: Among respondents, 40.0% had 20 years or more of clinical experience and 57.0% reported experiencing high competitive pressure. Dentists with more experience placed greater importance on prestige, service, and scholarly pursuit, and those with fewer years emphasized lifestyle and business expansion. Competitive pressure had weaker effects; dentists experiencing high competitive pressure valued lifestyle more but service less. Autonomy and the dentist-patient relationship consistently had no significant group differences (P value of autonomy .369 and .597, P value of dentist-patient relationship .075 and .380 for years of clinical experience and competitive pressure, respectively). Multivariable regression confirmed that clinical experience was a stronger and more consistent predictor of professional values than competitive pressure. Conclusions: Dentists’ professional values are dynamic and context-dependent, evolving with career stage while retaining stable core elements of professionalism. Understanding these dynamics requires a life course perspective that accounts for practice environments. Practical Implications: Dental workforce planning and continuing education programs should account for generational and practice environment differences, providing targeted support for younger dentists, strengthening professional identity, and ensuring sustainability of the profession. © 2025 American Dental Association

Publication Title

Journal of the American Dental Association

Publication Date

2026

ISSN

0002-8177

DOI

10.1016/j.adaj.2025.10.020

Keywords

competitive pressure, dental workforce, generational differences, professional identity, professional values

APA Citation

Yim, Y. B., Jeon, J. E., Park, Y., Kim, H., Novrinda, H., & Han, D. H. (2026). Professional values of dentists in the Republic of Korea: Influence of clinical experience and competitive pressure. The Journal of the American Dental Association.

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