A survey of career assistance programs at U.S. dental schools.

1. There is a perceived need among the leaders of our dental schools for career assistance programs for dental students. 2. Current programs and services for transmitting career assistance at a majority of dental educational institutions are either nonexistent or sporadic, and handled informally without carefully coordinated activities. 3. The most frequently used career assistance services, where programs do exist, are a library of career informational materials, formalized arrangements with outside professionals in the community, and placement services. 4. Among the variety of individuals coordinating current programs in career assistance in dental schools, the most common is a member of the administration (primarily the director of student affairs).