Objectives: This study explores dental student decision-making to determine which characteristics are influential in deciding whether or not to immediately enter private practice. Such information may be useful for educational policy makers. Methods: First- and second-year University of Iowa students (n=152) were surveyed in Fall 2006 using a variety of questions involving their background, career plans, and other potential influences in the decision-making process. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for variables involving a 10-point Likert-like scale to determine differences between those who are and are not intending to enter practice immediately after dental school. Results: Those interested in immediately entering private practice (54%) were more influenced by their greater comfort with general business activities (p = .0473) and the size of the community in which they planned to practice (p = .0295) than those who did not plan to immediately enter private practice. Additionally, those who had decided on private practice were significantly more certain of their career choices (6.8 [1.9] v. 5.4 [2.7], p = .0018), wanted to be general dentists more strongly upon entering dental school (7.8 [1.8] v. 6.1 [2.4], p < .0001), were more strongly influenced by a hometown network/built-in client base (5.5 [3.0] v. 3.7 [3.0], p = .0007), and were more strongly influenced by the family dentist (5.1 [3.1] v. 3.5 [3.0], p = .0058). Conclusion: While a myriad of survey questions inquired about demographic, family dynamics, and other potentially influential characteristics, these findings suggest that there may be a limited number of variables that predict whether or not students will immediately enter into private practice. Further investigation into predictor models is warranted. Supported by NIH/NIDCR T32 DEO14678.