Gender Differences in First-Year Dental Students' Motivation to Attend Dental School

Unveiling motives for dentistry studies: psychometric validation of a comprehensive questionnaire among aspiring dental students

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to develop and validate a questionnaire for dental students in Ecuador to assess their reasons to study dentistry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 25-item questionnaire was developed by the authors based on similar studies and a qualitative study. The questionnaire had five theoretical factors: economic, professional, vocational, social and academic reasons for study. In the first two samples, exploratory factor analysis was performed to identify the structure, and the models obtained were compared with confirmatory factor analysis in the third sample.

RESULTS

Three samples were used, sample A with 201 participants, sample B with 623 participants, and sample C with 596 participants. Two-thirds of the participants were female and almost one-third were from coast region. The EFA applied in sample A resulted in a five-factor model with 18 items; in contrast, a three-factor model was obtained from sample B. According to the CFA in sample C, the best model was explained by three factors: labor, vocational and academic reasons. Considering two items to cross-load in labor and vocational factors, which are theoretically justified.

CONCLUSION

This study presents a 12-item questionnaire that assesses labor, vocational and academic reasons for studying dentistry in an Ecuadorian population.

Post-graduation career pathways: a nationwide survey among dental students in Germany

OBJECTIVES

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) has to compete with other specialties for the best candidates. With the upcoming change of generations (Z and Alpha) and the movement toward gender parity of dentistry, understanding changing preferences and misconceptions is essential.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An online survey was conducted by the German-Association-of-Oral-and-Maxillofacial-Surgery (DGMKG) across German dental schools. The survey collected demographic data, academic background, and career aspirations, with a focus on OMFS. The dental student survey results were compared to a survey given to OMFS Specialists.

RESULTS

637 dental students, mainly female (70%), from 30 German universities participated. 27% had defined career aspirations post-graduation, with self-employment and academia being popular choices. 67% were unsure. Specializations leaned towards restorative dentistry (41%), orthodontics (36%), and prosthodontics (31%). While 73% showed interest in surgical practices, 20% were attracted in specializing in OMFS. Of those averse to OMFS, 78% cited long training duration as the deterrent, 12% were put off by perceived unattractive working hours. Other reasons included negative undergraduate experiences, scarcity of part-time positions, and perceived inadequate earnings.

CONCLUSION

Accurate data is crucial for career decisions. OMFS societies must proactively share accurate information and guide students. OMFS offers family-friendly hours, and while its training might be longer than dental specialties, it is on par with other surgical professions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Dental students consistently regard OMFS as commendable career path. To guarantee sustained OMFS expertise, it is imperative to nurture this interest through dedicated academic mentorship and innovative education, thereby solidifying their professional direction.

Sociodemographic profiles and career motivations of Australian dental students

PURPOSE

Prior studies explored factors influencing dental study choice, but shifts from BDSc to DDS degrees in some countries impact demographics and motivations, potentially affecting the dental workforce. The aim of this study was to establish Australian DDS and BOH students' sociodemographics and career motivations.

METHODS

Questionnaires conducted in mid-2019 assessed sociodemographic profiles and career motivations. Statistical analysis utilized descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 71.3%. DDS students had an average age of 25.2 years, while BOH students averaged 21.5 years. Most BOH (80.7%) and DDS students (52.0%) were female. They were mainly single, local, Australian citizens from metropolitan areas. Self-motivation ranked highest, particularly for DDS students (P < 0.05). Significant motivators included healthcare occupation, helping others, interesting career, and flexible hours (P < 0.05). DDS students were more motivated by flexible hours and independence (P < 0.05), while females emphasized a healthcare profession (P = 0.003). International students were motivated by being their own boss (P = 0.003), and private school graduates valued lifestyle within the profession (P = 0.049).

CONCLUSION

Despite sociodemographic changes, the main motivations for studying dentistry remain consistent. DDS students prioritized lifestyle factors such as time and remuneration over BOH students.

Association between history of academic failure during dental school and self-reported depression, anxiety, and stress: A retrospective cohort

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between history of academic failure (HAF) and self-reported depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate dental students.

METHODS

This study involved 244 dental students from one university. An online questionnaire collected information on the following variables: socioeconomic status, behavior, use of licit/illicit drugs, and the choice of dentistry as an undergraduate field of study. The 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was applied. HAF in at least one subject during a participant's undergraduate tenure was defined as the main outcome. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Poisson regression with robust variance. In addition, a subgroup analysis was performed for the variable "dentistry as the first choice for undergraduate studies."

RESULTS

The prevalence of HAF was 25.00% (n = 61). Among those students, the mean number of academic failures was 5.41 ± 6.38 (range: 1-33). Higher rates of HAF were observed among older and non-white dental students. Moreover, those who self-reported at least severe depression presented a 79% higher HAF prevalence ratio (PR) (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.15-2.80). Similar findings were detected among those who reported (PR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.06-4.46) or did not report (PR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.10-4.46) interest in dentistry as a first undergraduate option. Conversely, among women and students who did not choose dentistry as their first option, HAF was significantly lower (PR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.21-0.80).

CONCLUSION

Higher HAF rates are observed in students who are older, non-white, and self-report at least severe depression. However, dentistry as a first option for undergraduate studies was not associated with HAF.

Experience and perceptions of nigerian undergraduate dental students to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

COVID-19 outbreak impacted negatively on teaching globally with traditional face-to-face teaching mostly affected.

Aim

This study evaluated the experiences and perceptions of Nigerian undergraduate dental students to virtual learning (VL) including perceived institutional challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subjects and Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey of 346 dental students from all 13 Nigerian dental schools. Data collection was done using an open/close-ended online questionnaire.

Results

The level of awareness and understanding of dental students to virtual learning was high (93.6%) and good (84.7%), respectively. About two-thirds (62.4%) of the students had a virtual learning classroom experience before the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical students spent more time on the Internet and reported more confidence in the use of VL platforms than their pre-clinical counterparts during the lockdown (p < 0.05). More male students than their female counterparts felt that VL had less quality than traditional classroom teaching (p < 0.05). Similarly, male students showed more confidence in the use of VL online tools (p < 0.05). Institutional and self-perceived preparedness to VL was ranked low and moderate by the students, respectively. The high cost of data subscriptions, unstable Internet connectivity, and lack of other institutional facilities were perceived as challenges to effective VL by students. None of the identified variables predict effective VL.

Conclusions

Experiences of dental students and their preparedness to VL were moderate. The high cost of Internet subscriptions, unstable Internet connectivity, and low institutional facilities were major challenges to students' VL. None of the socio-demographic factors could successfully predict effective VL.

The Attitude of the General Dentist in the Republic of Croatia toward Treating Children

The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of general dentists in the Republic of Croatia toward working with children. The questionnaire survey involved 361 general dentists. The questionnaire was divided into three parts and contained 34 questions. The first part of the questionnaire survey contained demographic data questions. In the second part, dentists answered questions about the characteristics of the dental offices where they work, the materials that they mostly use, and how they work with children. The third part of the questionnaire referred to attitudes about working and treating young children and consisted of 12 statements, to which the answers were offered on a Likert scale from one to five. This study showed that only 12.46% of dentists have a positive attitude toward treating children and 30.19% of dentists have a negative attitude toward treating children. In addition, the attitude toward working with children correlates with both the knowledge they acquired during dental studies (R = 0.355; p ≤ 0.001) and gender (R = -0.103; p = 0.035). This study confirmed that women have a more often positive attitude toward treating young children. There was a major correlation between the level of education and positive attitudes toward treating children. The child's non-cooperative behavior was the main reason why general dentists refuse to work with children.

The Motivational Factors of Choosing Diagnostic Radiology as a Profession Among Saudi Radiography Students

PURPOSE

To identify factors influencing Saudi students to choose radiography as their academic major and future career field.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This study involved quantitative (online questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured interview) approaches. An online questionnaire was distributed among (n = 308) students. The questionnaire contained 30 questions covering the following three domains: economy, vocational and personal. A total of 25 individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposive sampling of radiography students in seven universities (public and private) across the western region of Saudi Arabia. Interview responses were coded, and main themes were extracted based on Miles and Huberman's framework.

RESULTS

The findings demonstrated that radiography was the first option as profession for 44% of the study participants. Several factors that study participants considered important were in the realm of patient care, helping patients, radiographer-patient relations, science-based profession, and the desire to work in the healthcare system. A few participants (14%) reported that they are planning to change their profession to another medical speciality. Four themes were identified from the interviews: 1) Profession decision-making, 2) changing career", 3) difficulties and challenges, and 4) recommended radiography as a profession.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study support the need to bridge the gap between high school, universities, and employment through a collaborative network to assist students in exploring their career path by providing sufficient information and experience.

A qualitative enquiry into dental students' perceptions of dentistry as a career choice in the State of Qatar

BACKGROUND

Career choice is a complex, multifaceted process affecting all aspects of life. Motivational factors of aspiring dentists are crucial to inform institutions and aid with the admission process. The aim of this study was to explore undergraduate dental students' perceived motivation for their career choice in the first dental institution in the State of Qatar to bridge the gap in knowledge in this area.

METHODS

Homogeneous purposive sampling technique was employed to collect data from all year 2 and year 3 undergraduate dental students to gain a deeper insight into their motivation of career choice. An explorative qualitative method using face-to-face focus group sessions were utilized. All focus groups were conducted in English and contained a moderator and observer. A topic guide was used to ensure data collection standardization. Participants' views were recorded and filed notes obtained. Data was transcribed and analysis performed utilizing an inductive thematic approach.

RESULTS

A total of 34 students (89.5%) from year 2 and 3 participated in the focus groups. Data analysis revealed six main themes emerging from this study namely; altruism and patient care, family influence factors, childhood aspirations, hands-on practical skills, professional and social status, and the opportunity to reconsider and transfer. Based on frequency, altruism, opportunities to learn hands-on practical skills and professional status appeared to be the main drivers influencing students' choice of dentistry as a professional career.

CONCLUSION

This qualitative study presents the first national study providing insightful information regarding current undergraduate dental students' decision process in relation to their profession selection, and shows that opportunities to provide patient care seems to be the key to motivation. There was also a strong inclination towards performing hands-on practical tasks as a dentist, and developing a professional status. Interestingly, financial reward did not feature as a motivational factor in this study. The study highlights the influence of socio-cultural and economic factors on choosing dentistry as a career. This data could help dental institutions better understand future applicant's motivations to join dentistry and assist with the academic recruitment/admission process and targeting students with a potential to excel in the profession.

Dentistry as a professional career: the views of London's secondary school pupils (2011-2017)

Aim To explore young people's perceptions of dentistry as a potential future career, including features which would attract or deter them from wanting to become dentists and the perceived influences on these views.

Methods Purposive sampling of London schools was undertaken. Exploration of academically-able, science-minded young people's (aged 14-18 years) perceptions of dentistry as a potential career was achieved through a series of focus groups conducted at various types of school in the Greater London region (13 focus groups and 91 students). A topic guide, informed by the literature and previous research, explored the perceived motivating and demotivating factors and associated influences, identified by these pupils, on studying dentistry at university. Data were analysed using framework methodology.

Results Multiple factors were identified by London secondary school pupils that would attract them to dentistry. Pull factors were: 1) science-based; 2) status and security - extrinsic rewards; 3) structure of service provision; 4) career opportunities; 5) social interactions; 6) personal skills and care - intrinsic rewards; and 7) being a vocational degree. Push factors away from the career included lack of diversity within the job and the 'negative image' of dentists, with medicine having greater social status and more varied career options. Individual and wider influences on pupils' perceptions included their personal experience with dentistry, social and community networks, the school environment, as well as system and societal level influencers.

Conclusions These findings suggest that a wide range of influences determine teenagers' perceptions of a dental career. Pupils in London schools report similar features of dentistry as being attractive as dental students, as well as its importance as a vocational degree, and although dentistry appears to lack status and profile when compared with medicine, it may be more acceptable in relation to its lifestyle. Individual sociodemographic characteristics and wider environmental factors may influence the relative importance of these features.

Provides a greater understanding of the features of a career in dentistry that attract/deter young people to/from this career early in their decision-making process.

Explores how these perceptions may be influenced by individual characteristics.

Describes the importance of the environmental context in influencing these perceptions.

The motivation and confidence in choosing dentistry as a career amongst dental students: A mixed-methods study

OBJECTIVES

An insight into students' motivation and confidence in the choice of entering and remaining in dental education is essential. The understanding of how choices are made can help universities in the planning of admission policies. This study aimed to evaluate the career choice influences, motivation and confidence in the choices made into dental education.

METHODS

A mixed-method design was employed, using both quantitative and qualitative data. One hundred seventy-three questionnaires were distributed to all registered dental students, with a response rate of 85%. The questionnaire explored students' demographics and factors that influenced their career choice. Seven focus groups were facilitated with related data recorded and transcribed verbatim.

RESULTS

The quantitative data revealed the desire to help others, and socioeconomic factors were influential, whilst for parents' influence, the mother's influence was statistically significant. Qualitatively, results converged and complemented quantitative data; there was a balance between helping others and socioeconomic and familial influences. There was an increase in confidence in the choice made as students advanced in their dental education. The results indicate that informed awareness of the dental programme structure is essential before embarking on a dental career.

CONCLUSIONS

The factors that impacted on choice were helping others, socioeconomic factors and the influence on choice from family. They were generally satisfied with their choice and were confident in the choice they made. This confidence, however, was not reflected until the more advanced clinical stages of their dental education.

Perceptions of Clinical Dental Students Toward Online Education During the COVID-19 Crisis: An Egyptian Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey

Objectives: To evaluate the perceptions of clinical dental students on the role of online education in providing dental education during the COVID-19 crisis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was sent to four Egyptian dental schools from the 20th of January 2021 to the 3rd of February 2021. Survey questions included the demographics, uses, experiences, perceived benefits, and barriers of distance learning in dentistry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Responses were collected from the clinical dental school students. Categorical data were presented as frequencies (n) and percentages (%) and were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Results: Three hundred thirty-seven clinical dental students across four Egyptian dental schools responded. Most students used either Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams to access the online content. The data showed that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the academic performance of most participants (97.4%) with varying degrees. On average, students were neutral when asked to rate the online lectures, but did not find online practical education as effective (81.3%) as online theoretical teaching. The commonly described barriers to online teaching included loss of interaction with educators, inappropriateness in gaining clinical skills, and the instability of the internet connection. Conclusion: Despite the reported benefits, clinical dental students in Egypt preferred the hybrid approach in dental education as distance learning represented a prime challenge to gain adequate clinical dental skills.

Perception of Dental Students on Gender Preferences in Career Choice, Plans, and Expectations in Dentistry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Introduction:

Gender-based preferences are common in dental practice and maybe even more prevalent in academic dentistry. A large number of females have been entering the practice of general dentistry for the past two decades. The present study was done to assess dental students' perception of gender preferences in dentistry using a questionnaire in Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods:

A survey was conducted using a pretested questionnaire among dental interns pursuing their internship at different dental schools in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaires were distributed to 482 interns who were willing to participate in the survey. All the responses were collected, tabulated, and analyzed accordingly using appropriate statistical methods.

Results:

Four hundred and eighty-two dental interns (180 males and 302 females) responded to the survey. Most female interns (68%) prefer female patients for their treatments to the opposite gender. Seventy-five percent of the male interns felt more capable than females to handle stress and workload associated with branches such as prosthodontics, surgery, and implantology. 52.1% felt that female students fared well in academics.

Conclusion:

The present study shows that more females are taking up this profession in the current situation. It also shows that females are as competitive as males in dentistry and that most of the dental interns want to take up postgraduation after completion of the course. Both males and females are given equal working space and respect in this field of dentistry.

Gender differences in dentistry: A qualitative study on students' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for entering dentistry at higher education

INTRODUCTION

Having a balanced gender distribution is thought to ensure the diversity of knowledge and know-how and take better into account the different needs in society. The aim of the study is to explore and understand possible gender differences in (a) the students' motivational spectrum to choose a dental education and (b) their prospect of a professional career in dentistry.

METHODS

We conducted in-depth interviews with male and female dental students (n = 14) followed by a theoretical reading based on Self-Determination Theory to explore the students' intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for entering dentistry in Denmark.

RESULTS

Regardless gender, the dental students are motivated by role models, people orientation and strong interest in health sciences, but prefer dentistry to medicine, because of the responsibilities and working conditions. They were also motivated by the dental school's combination of theory and practice in students' learning of craftsmanship. Moreover, students valued the prospect of job security and a good work-life balance. However, there were markedly gender differences in motivation in relation to financial incentives as well as working life and career as a dentist, as it seemed that dental students needed gendered relatedness in relation to specialisation and employment in public versus private sector.

CONCLUSION

The motivational spectrum varies widely, regardless of gender. In line with the standpoint feminist theory, a balanced gender distribution in dental education helps to meet the different needs in society and labour market. Consequently, a gender-sensitive recruitment strategy reflecting the gender differences in identities, knowledge and interests will be needed.

Self-perceptions about the profession of dentistry-comparisons between Lithuanian and Polish University graduating students

AIM

To examine the perceptions and overall satisfaction about the dental profession amongst the final-year student cohorts from the Lithuanian and Polish universities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For the Lithuanian cohort, the response rate was 95% (N = 143) and for the Polish cohort it was 99% (N = 123). The survey included a pre-tested questionnaire with multiple questions from three domains: (a) Sociodemographic, (b) Influences of others and (c) Dentistry Profession.

RESULTS

Polish university students were older (25.3 ± 2.6 years) than Lithuanian students (23.5 ± 1.6 years), more Lithuanian (83.1%) students were single compared to Polish cohort (34.7%), and more students graduating in Poland (43.4%) were males compared to the Lithuanian students (26.6%). In both countries, students were mostly influenced towards their choice of dentistry by their parents/relatives and positive experiences. Similar profession-related dimensions were identified for student from both countries: (a) the prestige of the profession, (b) job-related security, and (c) self-realisation. Satisfaction with a profession differed substantially between the two student cohorts, but none of the sociodemographic predictors explained this variation satisfactorily.

CONCLUSIONS

Sociodemographic differences were found between the students from Lithuanian and Polish universities. Yet, both student cohorts were similarly influenced towards choosing dentistry. The profession's prestige, job security and self-realisation were the most important profession-related dimensions. Polish university students were more satisfied with the profession than Lithuanian students.

The feminization of dentistry and the perceptions of public service users about gender issues in oral health

It was investigated the perception of service users in relation to the professional practice of dentists, based on gender differences. The Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) was applied to 900 users of the Public Service in Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Sixty clinics were selected using random sampling, divided between conventional Primary Health Care (PHC) Units and PHC with Family Health System Units. The attributes of PHC that compound the PCATool were analyzed. A question was added about user preference regarding the gender of the dental professional, thus generating four dyads derived from user gender/dentist gender (FF, FM, MM, MF). The attributes were linked to the dyads by applying the independent sample t test. Using logistic regression, the dyads were linked to 23 factors relating to scaled-up care in PHC. Many users showed a clear preference for being attended by female dentists. Users who prefer to be cared for by women tend to better evaluate PHC on issues related to "active listening", while those who prefer to be cared for by male dentists highlight the attributes of "care integration" and "community guidance". In other factors and attributes studied, there is no difference between the care given by men or women, regardless the unit.

Country and gender differences in the motivation of dental students-An international comparison

PURPOSE

The objective of this study, conducted in Germany, Finland and Turkey, was to identify whether motivations to study dentistry varied by country, gender or year of study.

METHODS

The multicentre pilot study was conducted in English language in 2014. Participants (n = 469 dental students) were either in the first or last year of study. The response rate was 91%.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 63% females and 37% males, reflecting the common gender distribution in dental education. A total of 236 first year students (50.3%) and 233 final year students (49.7%) took part in the study. The participants were aged 21-25 years and of 15 different nationalities, mostly from Turkey, Germany and Finland. Considering who motivated them most to become a dentist, the most common answer was "self-motivated" (49.5%). 23.4% of the students stated having been motivated by a "family member or friend, who is a dentist," while 24.3% said they had been motivated by a "family member or friend, who is not a dentist." -Very few students (2.8%) recorded having been motivated by a "high school or college counsellor." Motivations for choosing dentistry as a career included "ability to help people," "self-employment," "income potential," "working with hands" and "status and prestige," all of which were rated as highly important. "Time management" and "career variety" were rated as moderately important. Significant statistical differences were observed by country and gender. For the German students, a dental relative was significantly more often relevant than for the Finnish and Turkish students, who were more often influenced by family members or friends not working in the dental field. "Time management" seemed to be significantly more important to female than to male students.

CONCLUSION

In line with a feminisation of the workforce in dentistry, a well-structured working environment and well-thought-out time management may play an increased role in future work force planning (Gender dentistry: International vergleichende Studie zu Karrierewahl und Spezialisierungswünschen von Zahnmedizinstudenten. Ulm: Universität Ulm).

Appropriateness in Dentistry: A Survey Discovers Improper Procedures in Oral Medicine and Surgery

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess appropriateness of diagnostic exams, treatments, and procedures among Italian dental practitioners.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A questionnaire with multiple responses on topics of dentistry and oral medicine was administered to a sample of 198 Italian dental practitioners. Information on characteristics of the respondents was also collected. Descriptive statistics and multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) were applied. Data were analyzed using R software (version 3.3.2).

RESULTS

The survey respondents included Doctors of Medicine (MD) (54/198 = 27%) with or without specialty in dentistry (33% versus 67%), Doctors of Dental Surgery (DDS) (144/198 = 73%), DDS with specialty in orthodontics (7%), and DDS with specialty in oral surgery (4%). Mandatory procedures in dental and oral medicine education and training include (a) prescription of antibiotics before/after oral surgery procedures; (b) prevention strategies for oral cancer, and (c) prescription of dental X-ray examinations (41%, 52%, and 48%, resp.).

CONCLUSION

On examining the results of the survey, it is evident that information and implementation of the above mentioned procedures are crucially needed. Our results confirm the necessity to reduce inappropriate practices in dentistry, implementing formation and information, leading to correct prescriptions, and optimizing patients' oral health. This coincides with the Italian Slow Medicine program entitled "Fare di più non significa fare meglio-Choosing Wisely Italy," which has also motivated this study.

Dental specialty, career preferences and their influencing factors among final year dental students in Saudi Arabia

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate evolving trends in dental post graduate specialty preferences and career aspirations among final year dental students in Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods

A cross sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among final year dental students from seventeen universities in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire enquired about socio-demographic details and the ranking of three of their best preferences among the list of specialties/general dentistry and career options. They were also enquired about their opinion regarding the total time required to become a dentist and their intention to go for further studies abroad. The questionnaire assessed factors influencing their choices using a 5 point Likert scale ranging from extremely important to not important. Binary logistic regression to examine the combined effect of several independent variables on the likelihood of choosing a dental specialization/general dentistry and career option were analyzed.

Results

The overall response rate was 64.6%. Restorative and Aesthetic Dentistry was the most preferred specialty (n = 98; 17.7%) followed by Endodontics (n = 78; 14.1%); Prosthodontics (n = 65; 11.7%) and Orthodontics (n = 63; 11.4%). The two most preferred careers were ‘Civilian dentist in public sector’ followed by ‘Academic services dentist’. Overall, students reported that the influence of family members in the dental profession, preference for private practice and specific interest in patient population as the most important factors in choosing a specialty/general dentistry. Intellectual content of the specialty was ranked the least important. On the other hand, the most important factors for choosing a career were variety of non-clinical duties, access to child care facilities and research opportunities.

Conclusion

The results of this study show the top preferred specialties and career choices which can be a baseline for establishing national policies and for the improvement of graduate programs. There seems to be a need to promote mentoring activities and provide guidance and encouragement to pre-doctoral dental students in selecting the most appropriate specialty within their capability domain.

Are There Barriers for Professional Development of Women Dentists? A Qualitative Study in Saudi Arabia

Globally, there is an upward trend in the number of women applying to dental schools and entering the profession of dentistry. Women dentists aim to advance their careers; however, differences exist between men and women dentists regarding leadership positions and work titles. For example, in Saudi Arabia, women usually occupy lower ranked positions than men in the Saudi public sector, and they are, therefore, paid less than their male counterparts. This study aimed to explore the possible barriers to Saudi women dentists' professional advancement using a qualitative descriptive study design. Specifically, semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 13 women practicing dentistry in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the data were interpreted using qualitative content analysis (NVivo 11; QRS International). The results revealed 4 challenges that might delay the participants' career development. These include family-related challenges, sociocultural challenges, workplace challenges, and transportation issues. From this perspective, some perceived barriers to the professional development of women dentists were found that might not be unique to Saudi Arabia, and the article's suggestions and recommendations aim to minimize the effects of these barriers impeding women's advancement in dentistry in Saudi Arabia. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This study makes an important contribution to knowledge on this topic. These results will aid policy makers' efforts to create supportive work environments through gender-specific incentives that meet the current professional and family needs of women dentists, particularly those in Saudi Arabia.

First-Year Pharmacy Students' Views on Their Chosen Professional Career

Objective. To investigate what factors influenced students to study pharmacy and determine in which sector they hoped to gain employment, both in the short and longer term. Methods. First-year pharmacy students (n=124) were invited to complete a paper-based, self-administered questionnaire consisting of 4 sections. Descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests were conducted. Results. One hundred (96.8% response rate) students completed the questionnaire (22.5% male; 77.5% female). Key influential factors for choosing pharmacy included: enjoyment of science at school, a desire to improve people's health and wellbeing, and to work in health care. Career aspirations were to work in a hospital or in community practice rather than in industry or academia. Conclusions. Students choose pharmacy as a career primarily for altruistic and clinical reasons. This research provides information for pharmacy schools about the career aspirations of students and data from future pharmacists is potentially helpful to pharmacy professional organizations and potential employers.

Why not nursing? A systematic review of factors influencing career choice among healthcare students

BACKGROUND

A global shortage of healthcare professionals calls for effective recruitment and retention strategies. The nursing profession faces greater staffing shortages compared with other healthcare professions. Identifying these factors for choosing a career in health care is an important step in structuring future nursing recruitment strategies.

AIM

This systematic review examined the motivations for choosing a career in health care, then compared them to factors that influence the choice to pursue a career in nursing.

METHODS

A literature search of the CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases for articles published between 2002 and 2013 was conducted. The search included studies that focused on factors influencing career choice among undergraduate medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and nursing students.

RESULTS

A total of 29 papers were included in the review. The themes and subthemes that emerged from this review included: (1) intrinsic factors, including a desire to help others and a personal interest in health care, (2) extrinsic factors, such as financial remuneration, job security, professional prestige and job autonomy, (3) socio-demographic factors such as gender and socio-economic status, and (4) interpersonal factors, encompassing the influence of family and other professional individuals.

DISCUSSION

Healthcare professionals were generally motivated by intrinsic factors. However, public perceptions of nursing as a low-paying and low-status job have significantly hindered the participants' choice to pursue it as a career.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND/OR HEALTH POLICY

Nursing institutions could provide more platforms to help school leavers better understand the nursing career. In turn, hospital administrators could invite parents to nursing career fairs, increase financial remuneration for nurses, and provide decision-making avenues aimed at recruiting and retaining more nurses.

Factor analysis of a motivation questionnaire adapted to predoctoral French dental students

Background/purpose

The motivations of dental students for their studies have largely been investigated in numerous countries using psychometric questionnaires. This is not the case in France since validated tools are still lacking. The aim of the present work was dedicated to the psychometric validation of a motivation questionnaire adapted for predoctoral French dental students.

Material and methods

The design corresponded to a monocentric study realized at the dental school of Nantes University, France. A 14-item questionnaire was translated into French and adapted for dental studies. It was autoadministered by the students between March 2014 and May 2014. Exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses were used to investigate the psychometric properties of the French version.

Results

The rate of reply was 88.7% with a sex allocation consisting of 44.4% men and 55.6% women. The internal reliability and the item-sampling adequacy of the questionnaire reached acceptance thresholds. Exploratory and confirmatory factorial analyses established a four-factor structure with good internal reliability. The factors consisted in “altruism,” “status and incomes,” “scientific curiosity,” and “educational advantages.” Factors correlated well with the overall questionnaire. The overall motivation score did not differ between male and female students, although “altruism” was best scored by female students while “status and incomes” obtained a higher score in the population of male students. Both male and female students displayed similar “scientific curiosity” and “educational advantages” scorings.

Conclusion

Our data establish that the French motivation questionnaire has good psychometric properties and that it is relevant for further studies.

Students' motivation to study dentistry in Malaysia: an analysis using confirmatory factor analysis

INTRODUCTION

Malaysia has experienced a significant expansion of dental schools over the past decade. Research into students' motivation may inform recruitment and retention of the future dental workforce. The objectives of this study were to explore students' motivation to study dentistry and whether that motivation varied by students' and school characteristics.

METHODS

All 530 final-year students in 11 dental schools (6 public and 5 private) in Malaysia were invited to participate at the end of 2013. The self-administered questionnaire, developed at King's College London, collected information on students' motivation to study dentistry and demographic background. Responses on students' motivation were collected using five-point ordinal scales. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the underlying structure of students' motivation to study dentistry. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to compare factor scores for overall motivation and sub-domains by students' and school characteristics.

RESULTS

Three hundred and fifty-six final-year students in eight schools (all public and two private) participated in the survey, representing an 83% response rate for these schools and 67% of all final-year students nationally. The majority of participants were 24 years old (47%), female (70%), Malay (56%) and from middle-income families (41%) and public schools (78%). CFA supported a model with five first-order factors (professional job, healthcare and people, academic, careers advising and family and friends) which were linked to a single second-order factor representing overall students' motivation. Academic factors and healthcare and people had the highest standardized factor loadings (0.90 and 0.71, respectively), suggesting they were the main motivation to study dentistry. MANOVA showed that students from private schools had higher scores for healthcare and people than those in public schools whereas Malay students had lower scores for family and friends than those from minority ethnic groups. No differences were found by age, sex, family income and school type.

CONCLUSION

Using CFA, this study shows that academic factors were the main motivation to study dentistry in this group of Malaysian students. There were also variations in students' motivation by students' ethnicity and school sector but not by other factors.

Career motivations, perceptions of the future of dentistry and preferred dental specialties among saudi dental students

AIM

The purpose of this study was to determine the career motivations, perceptions of the future of dentistry and preferred postgraduate specialties of Saudi dental students.

METHODS

A pretested, self-administered, 16-item questionnaire was distributed to first- through fifth-year dental students at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the level of significance was set at 5%.

RESULTS

Of the 530 potential participants, 329 students (198 male and 131 female respondents) completed the questionnaire. High professional status (71.4%), a secure career (67.8%), a high income (78.1%), flexible working hours (54.4%), a wide range of career options after graduation (59.3%), opportunities for self-employment (69.3%) and good job opportunities abroad (65.3%) were endorsed to a great/considerable extent by the respondents. "It takes time to establish a practice" (62.3%), "Postgraduate education is a necessity" (72.4%) and "The increasing number of dental institutions is a threat to the profession" (59.3%) were endorsed to a great or considerable extent by the respondents. The most popular specialty among the male students was oral maxillofacial surgery (20.1%) and among female students was operative dentistry (23.4%).

CONCLUSION

The career motivations of this group of dental students seemed to relate to socioeconomic aspects of dentistry and perceptions of the future of dentistry seemed to relate to the need for postgraduate education.

Study motives, career choices and interest in paediatric dentistry among final year dental students in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Students' motives for studying Dentistry have been a subject of interest for years because of the potential for understanding the psychological makeup and subsequent job satisfaction for the dentist. It is also useful in identifying expectations of the profession. This study therefore tried to identify study motives and career preferences of dental students especially with respect to the practice of paediatric dentistry.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. The final year students in six dental schools in Nigeria were required to fill the questionnaire. Students were asked to rank their motives and career preferences on a Likert like scale with points ranging from 0-5 where 0 represented a factor that had no influence on their decision and 5 represented a very influential factor. The underlying dimensions for study motives, career preference, impression about and motive for interest in the practice of paediatric dentistry were identified using factor analysis.

RESULTS

One hundred and seventy nine of 223 students (80.3%) participated in this study. Motives for the practice of dentistry included characteristics of the profession, altruism and intellectual challenges, existence of artistic theme in dentistry and parent's recommendation. Overall, 67.1% of respondents indicated interest in postgraduate studies and 50.8% were interested in paediatric dentistry practice. The main motives for showing interest in the practice of paediatric dentistry were 'personal interest, professional interest and interest of significant others in children', and 'family influence'. Significantly more males than females were interested in the practice of paediatric dentistry though the motives for interest in the practice of paediatric dentistry did not differ significantly by sex or age.

CONCLUSION

The non-significant sex difference in the motives for interest in the practice of paediatric dentistry is a possible reflection of changes in strong cultural themes in the motives for career choices in Nigeria.

Students' satisfaction with a dental summer programme and importance of influencing factors for choosing dentistry as their career

AIM

To study the students' satisfaction with the week-long summer programme and the importance of common influencing factors (IFs) for choosing dentistry as their career.

METHODS

Anonymous questionnaire was given to all 214 participants in July of 2011 and 2012. Demographic information including gender, age and education level was collected. The students were asked about their satisfaction with the programme with separate ratings for learning experiences, including hands-on workshops (HOW); clinic observations (CO); problem-based learning tutorials (PBL); and lectures (L). They also rated the relative importance of the ten common IFs. The Friedman test was used to study the order of their preferences of the programme's activities. The Chi-square test was used to study the influence of their demographic factors on the importance of the IFs.

RESULTS

A total of 208 students returned their questionnaires. The majority were below the age of 18 (81%), and 44% were studying in an international school. Most of the students (96%) were satisfied with the programme overall. They liked the HOWs and COs more than the PBL tutorials and Ls. 'Altruism' and 'medical/health care career' were the two most important IFs overall. 'Altruism' and 'past experience with dentist' were considered more important by those aged 18 or above. 'Past experience with dentist' and 'working with hands' were considered more important by the international school students.

CONCLUSIONS

Most participants were satisfied with the summer programme. They preferred practical, skill-based activities to knowledge-based activities. The importance of some IFs was associated with age and education system.

The effect of a change in selection procedures on students' motivation to study dentistry

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in student selection criteria at The University of Adelaide effected a change in motivation and influencing factors to study dentistry by comparing cohorts.

METHODS

Online questionnaire completed by first-year dentistry students at The University of Adelaide between 1993-1996 and 1997-2005.

RESULTS

All 666 students completed the questionnaire with 647 suitable for analysis. The likelihood of students being motivated for a career in dentistry because it 'fits with family' was greater for the 1997-2005 cohort (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.14-2.49, p < 0.01) than it was for 1993-1996 enrollees, whereas 'status' became less important (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30-0.73, p < 0.01). Being influenced by a dentist (OR = 2.41, 95% CI = 1.63-3.55, p < 0.001) or a dental employee (OR = 3.19, 95% CI = 0.90-4.85, p < 0.001) was much greater for the 1997-2005 group than it was for the 1993-1996 cohort. Where students came from, parents' level of education and gender were not significant in the multivariate analysis of factors associated with motivation and influences of students' career choice.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes to the selection procedure were associated with increased emphasis on lifestyle factors and the dental profession, but not with the desire to help people or the importance of the work itself in students' decision to study dentistry.

Motivation to study dental professions in one London Dental Institute

INTRODUCTION

While past research has explored dental students' motivation to study, there is limited understanding in the reasons behind career choice for hygienists/therapists and dental nurses. The aim of this study was to investigate simultaneously the views of students of dentistry, hygiene/therapy and dental nursing in King's College London and explore similarities or differences in career choice.

METHODS

All first-year students were invited to the questionnaire survey, exploring motivation to study using a 23-item instrument. Data were analysed using SPSS v18; statistical analysis included one-way analyses of variance and factor analysis.

RESULTS

The overall response rate to the study was 75% (n = 209). Ten out of 23 factors were considered important by more than 80% of respondents, with 'job security' (93.8%), 'desire to work with people' (88%) and 'degree leading to recognised job' (87.5%) being top three. Analysis suggested that 52% of the total variation in motivating influences was explained by four factors: 'features of the job' (26%), 'education/skills' (11%), 'public service' (8%) and 'careers-advising' (7%); at group level 'features of the job' were significantly more important for the direct entrants to dentistry (P = 0.001).

DISCUSSION

The findings suggest that across groups students were motivated to study by common influences reflecting altruistic, but also pragmatic and realistic motives, while 'features of the job' were more important for the direct entrants to dentistry.

Career choice and future design of dental students in China and Japan

The purpose of this study was to compare career choice and future plans of dental students in China and Japan. Information was derived from a self-answered questionnaire. Significant differences were detected for eight items between the two countries. Regarding motivation towards career choice, 41% of Japanese students indicated positive motives related to helping others, achieving self-worth and health-care related interests, whereas Chinese students indicated that their choice was mainly for financial and prestige reasons, and for 32% of them, dentistry was a passive choice. More Chinese dental students (74%) wanted further education compared with Japanese students (22%). The majority of Japanese students (56.9%) planned to work as general dentists. Conversely, Chinese students were more likely to specialise (50%). More than 50% of Japanese students wanted to work in dental offices, but the majority of Chinese students (65%) preferred university hospital. We found it is strange that nearly one-fourth of the Chinese students did not want to be a clinical dentist mainly because of the poor health-care environment. This study provides a description of the perspectives of Japanese and Chinese dental students and enables a better understanding of career choices and future course design issues.

Short and long-term career plans of final year dental students in the United Arab Emirates

Background

New dental schools have been established to train dentists in many parts of the world. This study examines the future dental workforce from the first dental school in the United Arab Emirates [UAE]; the aim of this study was to explore the short and long-term career aspirations of the final year dental students in the UAE in relation to their demography.

Method

Final year dental students of the Ajman University’s College of Dentistry (n=87) were invited to participate in a self-completion questionnaire survey. Descriptive analysis, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analysis were carried out on career aspirations using SPSS v20.

Results

Eighty-two percent of students (n=71) responded, the majority of whom were female (65%; n=46). Ethnicity was reported as: ‘other Arab’ (61%; n=43), ‘Emirati’ (17%, n=12), and ‘Other’ (21%, n=15). In the short-term, 41% (n=29) expressed a desire to work in government training centres, with Emirati students significantly more likely to do so (p=0.002). ‘Financial stability’ (80%; n=57) and ‘gaining professional experience’ (76%; n=54) emerged as the most important influences on their short-term career plans. The vast majority of students wished to specialise in dentistry (92%; n=65) in the longer term; logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of specialising in the most popular specialties of Orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were less for the ‘Other’ ethnic group when compared with ‘Emirati’ students (0.26; 95% CI 0.068-0.989; p=0.04). Almost three-quarters of the students overall (72%; n=51) intended to work full-time. ‘High income/financial security’ (97%; n=69), ‘standard of living’ (97%; n=69), ‘work/life balance’ (94%; n=67), and ‘professional fulfilment’ (87%; n=62) were reported by the students as the most influential items affecting their long-term professional career choices.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that students aspire to make a long-term contribution to the profession and there is a high level of interest in specialisation with a desire to achieve financial stability and quality of life.

Motivation for a career in dentistry: the views of dental students in the United Arab Emirates

OBJECTIVES

To investigate final-year dental students' perceived motivation for choosing dentistry as a professional career at one dental school in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

METHOD

Final-year dental students of Ajman University (n = 87) completed a questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analysis of the data were undertaken using statistical software.

RESULTS

A response rate of 82% (n = 71) was achieved, 65% of whom were female. Students ranged from 21 to 29 years of age. Motivation to study dentistry was led by a 'desire to work in health care' (93%), 'wish to provide a public service' (88.7%) and because 'degree leads to a recognised job' (84.5%). Males were significantly more likely to report 'high income' (84% vs. 67%; P = 0.01) and females 'influence of family' (80% vs. 60%; P = 0.02) as motivating influences. The reliability and internal consistency of the instrument as calculated by Cronbach's alpha was 0.82. Eight factors explaining the 71% of the variation were: 'professional job factors' (11.7%), 'experience and advice' (9.8%), 'business and financial with independence' (9.7%), 'careers, advice and possibilities' (8.9%), 'knowledge and job security' (8.8%), 'health care, people and public service' (8%), 'family and friends' (7.2%) and 'career in dentistry' (6.9%). Gender was a significant predictor of 'business and financial' factor (b = -0.76; P = 0.003) and age for 'careers in dentistry' (b = -0.18; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Students are motivated by a wide range of factors similar to those found in other studies; however, business features and family influences were significantly associated with gender.

Influence of minor children and contribution to household income on work hours of female dentists

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of having minor children and contribution to household income on weekly work hours of Iowa female dentists.

METHODS

A 28-question survey was mailed to all active Iowa dentists. This study represents female dentists who responded to the survey (n = 192; response rate = 63 percent). The dependent variable was whether dentists currently worked full- or part-time (≥ 32 versus <32 hours/week). The associations of having minor children and the percent women contributed toward their household income were then analyzed using stepwise logistic regression, controlling for covariates (alpha = 0.05).

RESULTS

Of the respondents, 14.6 percent worked part-time. Females who had no minor children (40.1 percent) were 3.1 times as likely to work full-time (P = 0.0353), and those who contributed >60 percent to household income (57.8 percent) were 3.0 times as likely to work full-time (P = 0.0129). The final regression model indicated that those who contributed >60 percent to household income (P = 0.0096) and had no leave of absence longer than 45 consecutive days within the prior 2 years (P = 0.0483) were more likely to work full-time compared with their counterparts.

CONCLUSION

Iowa female dentists who provided more than 60 percent to household income and had not taken a leave of absence during the past 2 years were more likely to work full-time. The inclusion of leave of absence as a predictor variable negates any additional influence of the presence or absence of minor children in the regression model, indicating that these variables are highly correlated for this population.

Perceived sources of stress amongst Chilean and Argentinean dental students

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of high levels of stress as well as its multilevel consequences is well documented amongst students in the health sciences, and particularly in dentistry. However, investigations of perceived stress amongst Spanish-speaking student groups are sparse. This study aimed to (i) describe the translation, adaptation and psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the Dental Environment Stressors questionnaire and (ii) to examine the perceived sources of stress and their associations with the students' study year and gender in two dental schools in Latin America.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All students officially registered in the dental schools of the University of San Sebastian (USS) in Chile and the Catholic University of Cordoba (CUC) in Argentina were invited to participate in the study. The DES30 questionnaire was adapted in Spanish using translation/back-translation, an expert bilingual committee, and consensus building. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the instrument's internal consistency, and iterated principal factor analysis with promax rotation was employed to explore its underlying factor structure. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate methods were used to examine the patterns of association between individual stressors, factor scores and students' characteristics.

RESULTS

Three hundred and four students comprised the study's analytical sample, with two-thirds of those being female. The DES30-Sp demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.89). A four-factor solution emerged and included 'academic workload', 'clinical training', 'time constraints' and 'self-efficacy beliefs' factors. 'Fear of failing a course or a year', 'examinations and grades' and 'lack of time for relaxation' were amongst the top individual-item stressors reported by students in both schools. Amongst this group of undergraduate dental students, those in Argentina, in higher study year, and females reported higher perceived stress.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased workload, time constraints and some aspects of clinical training were the top stressors of approximately 300 Chilean and Argentinean dental undergraduates. Some variations between schools, males and females and study years were noted. The Spanish version of the DES30 questionnaire performed well, but future studies should evaluate the instrument's properties in larger and more diverse dental student populations.

Dentistry a second time?

INTRODUCTION

Dentistry in Jordan is an attractive profession due to the high social standard it provides. This study aimed to investigate whether dentists would choose dentistry again and whether their professional expectations would change after years of practice. Of special interest were possible differences according to gender, age, degree and place of work.

METHODS

A self-completion questionnaire was filled by a stratified random sample of 355 dentists in Jordan using closed questions. The questionnaire included professional, social and economic factors that influenced people's choice of dentistry and whether they would choose it again and the reasons for that.

RESULTS

The results showed that 52% of dentists who returned the questionnaire had dentistry as their first choice; the most important determining factor was the dentist's grades in the general secondary education. Fifty-two per cent stated that they would not choose it for the second time, the main reason being the health problems acquired through the profession and the low income. Helping others and the social standard dentistry provides were the main reasons given for dentists to choose dentistry again.

CONCLUSION

We report that more than half of the dentists included in this study would not 'choose dentistry again' as their profession regardless of age, gender and degree. This is mainly due to health problems acquired and the low income. We found that job satisfaction is highly affected by the workplace, and that more females are dissatisfied by the profession. This suggests that cultural background strongly affects the career decision.

Administration of anesthetics using metal syringes. An ex vivo study

The aim of the present study was to assess injection flow rates of metal syringes, with an emphasis on injection speed and the generation of flow pulsations. A cohort of 64 operators (32 practitioners and 32 students) performed 3 consecutive ex vivo simulated injections (SIs) of 1.8-mL cartridges of anesthetic solution. Two needle diameters were tested (27-gauge and 30-gauge). Each SI was filmed and analyzed using a computer. In most cases, the SI lasted longer than 60 seconds with the 30-gauge needle (75%) but not with the 27-gauge needle (47.9%) (P < .0001). Practitioners and men delivered a full cartridge significantly faster than students and women, respectively (P  =  .0007 in both cases). All operators generated 1 pulse in at least 1 of the 3 SIs with both types of needles, especially during the first 3 seconds (254/384; 66.1%). Pulses occurred more frequently with practitioners (P  =  .0176) and with the 27-gauge needle (P  =  .005). Within its methodological limits, the present study showed how difficult it is to control injection pressure when using a metal syringe, especially at the beginning of the injection. Computerized systems may help overcome this problem.