The survey on “Employability in Dentistry” was promoted by the Council of Young Dentists, of the OMD, among the 4,745 dentists registered with the Order under 35 years of age.

The study, to which Lusa had access, estimates that around 900 young dentists are working abroad (16.1%), with 10.8% asking for suspension of registration with the OMD, 13.8% emigrated when they finished the course and almost 40% emigrated within one and up to two years of the end of their course.

Better income

Regarding the reasons that led them to emigrate, 86.2% point to the search for better income, 71.6% better quality of life and 66.4% a greater appreciation of the profession by the population, “three factors negatively associated with the profession in Portugal”, highlights the study.

Around 40% of professionals do not foresee a return to Portugal, an option justified by the salary differences (almost half earn more than 5,000 euros net monthly) and by job stability.

In Portugal, 53% have a gross monthly income below 1,500 euros, which means that half receive less than 1,000 euros net monthly.

“Low incomes can be justified by the instability of contractual ties (green receipts), says the study, underlining that those who have a work contract are more likely to earn between 1,000 and 1,500 euros per month.