A surplus of dentists has depressed dentists' incomes in Japan, deterring new applicants to private dental schools in the country, according to Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper.
The number of dentists in Japan rose from 74,000 in 1990 to 97,000 in 2006, the paper reported. The increased competition has lowered salaries so much that a "junior" dentist can earn as little as 3 million yen per year ($30,636), according to the report.
As a result, fewer people are applying to dental school. The number of students who took entrance examinations fell by about 2,800 from last year to reach 4,973 this year, Yamiuri Shimbun reported.
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