Does exposure to dental education change the perceptions of Nigerian students to dentistry as a profession?

Aim:  To assess any effect of exposure to dental education and training on the perception and acceptance of dentistry by dental students at a Nigerian dental school.
Participants and methods:  The study was conducted by means of an anonymous self-administered questionnaire distributed to second-, fifth- and sixth-year dental students at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. Participation was voluntary and 67 students agreed to participate in the study. Majority (51%) were aged between 24 and 27 years. The questionnaire contained questions on demography, preferred choice of course on admission, attempts at change of course, their present perception to dentistry and future dental practice.
Result:  Over 90% of them were admitted through the Joint admission and matriculation board and 40 (60%) chose Medicine as their first course choice. Of the 40, 18 had attempted a change of course and eight were still interested in a career change (four were in the fifth year). Most of the change in attitude occurred in fourth year. Sixty (90%) intend to practice dentistry but 38 (63%) of these would like to practice outside Nigeria.
Conclusion:  Exposure to dental training appears to improve students' perception about dental practice but uncertainty about future prospects in Nigeria may lead to brain drain in the dental profession.     

Working practices and job satisfaction of Victorian dental hygienists

BACKGROUND: Increasing demand for dental services and a projected shortage in the oral health workforce in Victoria has focused attention on dental hygienists as one mechanism for increasing the supply of dental services. Understanding the dental hygienist workforce is essential in order to plan effectively for the future delivery of dental services in Victoria. METHODS: A postal survey of a random sample of Victorian dental hygienists was undertaken in 2006. Data on hygienists' demographic characteristics, current dental practice, history of career breaks, aspects of clinical practice and job satisfaction were collected. RESULTS: A response rate of 77 per cent was achieved. A total of 94.0 per cent of hygienists were currently working as a dental hygienist, working an average of 28.7 hours per week. Younger hygienists worked longer hours than their older colleagues. Career breaks were common, with 44.8 per cent reporting a career break of greater than one month, predominantly for child rearing, with a mean career break of 20.1 months. Hygienists reported a high level of satisfaction with most aspects of their employment. CONCLUSIONS: Victorian hygienists worked predominantly in private practices in metropolitan Melbourne, providing a range of preventive and periodontal services. Understanding the working patterns of dental hygienists is critical as hygienist numbers expand in the future, in order to undertake thorough evidence-based workforce planning.     

Reasons for choosing dentistry as a career – a survey of dental students attending a dental school in Ireland during 1998–99

The motivations for choosing dentistry as a career in the Republic of Ireland are not clearly defined. To better understand why students choose this occupation, 150 undergraduate dental students of all grades at a University Dental School were surveyed during the academic year 1998-99. Candidates were asked to score the influence of certain factors on their decision to choose dentistry as a career, and were given the opportunity to add commentary. The overall response rate was 80.6%. About 2/3 indicated dentistry was their 1st career choice, with medicine being the primary alternative. Reasons for choosing dentistry included perceived ease of employment, being self-employed, working regular hours, followed by an opportunity of good income, and the opportunity to help people. Having relatives or friends in the profession and lifelong ambition were the least important factors for this sample. Extrinsic factors relating to employment conditions had a strong positive correlation (p<0.0001) with each other, while lifelong ambition had a strong negative correlation (p=0.004) with significant financial reward. No significant differences were found in most responses when analysed by gender or year in school. It is concluded that this sample of students is attracted to dentistry primarily due to a positive perception of working conditions, followed by the altruistic motivations of helping people and improving their appearance.     

Reasons for choosing dentistry as a career by Arab dental students

The aim of this study was to determine the reasons for choosing dentistry as a career in an Arab population of undergraduate dental students in Jordan. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to dental students from year 1 to 5 at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Jordan in Amman. The questionnaire comprised 31 items and the students were required to rate the importance of each item for selecting dentistry as a career on a 10 point scale. Parametric tests were used to investigate if statistically significant differences existed between scores for different groups. The response rate for the study was 79% (477 out of 604 students recruited). Two hundred and twenty one students (46%) had dentistry as a first choice. Prestige was given a maximum score by 44.4% of the students recruited and a similar number of students, 43.6% gave a maximum score to the factor representing helping people. There were slight differences in the motivation between male and females with males more motivated by financial factors. It was concluded that ‘prestige’ and ‘helping people’ were important motivating factors in this group of dental students.     

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.     

Understanding the motivation: a qualitative study of dental students' choice of professional career

Background: Given the changing nature of the dental workforce, and the need to retain the services of future members, it is important to understand why current dental students perceive that they were motivated to study dentistry. Qualitative research provides the opportunity to explore the underlying issues in addition to informing subsequent quantitative research. The objectives of this research were to investigate final‐year dental students’ motivation for studying dentistry and how they perceive this has been modified during their undergraduate degree programme. Methods: Purposive sampling of a representative group of 35 final‐year dental students at King’s College London Dental Institute to participate in audio‐taped focus groups. Qualitative data were analysed using Framework Methodology. Results: The findings suggest a strong emphasis on having a career, providing ‘professional status’, ‘financial benefits’, ‘job security, flexibility and independence’ and ‘good quality of life’. Students reported being attracted by features of the job, supported to a greater or lesser extent by personal experience, family and friends. It appears however that students’ initial motivation is being tempered by their experiences during their undergraduate degree programme, in particular, the ‘responsibilities of an intensive professional education’, their ‘mounting student debt’ and the perception of ‘feeling undervalued’. This perception related to dentistry in general and National Health Service dentistry in particular, being undervalued, by government, patients, the public and members of the dental profession. Conclusions: Students’ vision of a ‘contained professional career’ within health care, providing status and financial benefits, appears to have influenced their choice of dentistry. Pressures relating to student life and policy changes are perceived as impacting on key components of professional life, particularly status in the social and economic order. The implications for educators, professional leaders and policy makers are explored.     

The working practices and job satisfaction of dental hygienists in New Zealand

OBJECTIVES: To describe the current working practices and level of job satisfaction of dental hygienists in New Zealand. METHODS: Postal survey of all dental hygienists on the New Zealand Dental Council's database. An initial mailing was followed by a 3-week follow-up. Information was sought on respondents' demographic characteristics, current occupation and working practice, history of career breaks, continuing education and career satisfaction. RESULTS: 213 responses were received (73.2%); 90.6% were currently working as hygienists, mostly in private practice. Many worked part time, particularly those with children. Almost 50% of respondents had taken at least one career break, most frequently for childrearing. The mean time taken in career breaks was 3.6 years. Overall, dental hygienists reported high levels of satisfaction with their careers and their income. Older hygienists had higher career satisfaction scores. Most respondents were actively involved in continuing education. Almost half were interested in expanding the range of procedures they perform. Over one-third plan to retire within the next 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: While many hygienists take career breaks and work part time, most have a high level of career satisfaction, actively participate in continuing education, and are satisfied with their remuneration.     

Choosing Dentistry as a career - A profile of entering students (1992) to the University of Sydney, Australia

The present study is an investigation of motives students have for wishing to become dentists. The study population comprised 85 first year dental students of the class of 1992 at the University of Sydney. A questionnaire which sought information on student demography, attitudes to dentistry, and motive rankings was administered. Demographic findings indicated that the majority of students came from countries in the Pacific rim and the male/female ratio was 62 to 38 per cent. Responses to the attitude questionnaire showed that Australian student motives for becoming dentists did not differ from those of students in other countries. The most predominant of these motives was to serve others, to become independent, to enjoy job satisfaction, and to acquire financial security. The least important motives were manual and communication skills, science and knowledge, and surprisingly, status and prestige. To attribute meaning and value to these motives, however, reflects inconsistencies which are expressed as contradictions between motive categories, between items within categories, and between motive categories and motive rankings.
When one considers the basis upon which career decisions are made, disparity in the findings may be attributable to a decision-making process that rests on subjective rather than objective criteria.     

Role models and professional development in dentistry: an important resource

Background

The importance of role models, and their differing influence in early, mid‐ and late careers, has been identified in the process of professional development of medical doctors. There is a paucity of evidence within dentistry on role models and their attributes.

Aim

To explore the views of early career dentists on positive and negative role models across key phases of professional development, together with role models’ attributes and perceived influence.

Methods

This is a phenomenological study collecting qualitative data through semi‐structured interviews based on a topic guide. Dentists in junior (core training) hospital posts in one academic health science centre were all invited to participate. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis.

Results

Twelve early career stage dentists, 10 of whom were female, reported having role models, mainly positive, in their undergraduate and early career phases. Participants defined role models’ attributes in relation to three distinct domains: clinical attributes, personal qualities and teaching skills. Positive role models were described as “prioritising the patient's best interests”, “delivering learner‐centred teaching and training” and “exhibiting a positive personality”, whilst negative role models demonstrated the converse. Early career dentists reported having largely positive dentist role models during‐ and post‐dental school and report their impact on professional values and aspirations, learning outcomes and career choice.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that these early career dentists in junior hospital posts have largely experienced and benefitted from positive role models, notably dentists, perceived as playing an important and creative influence promoting professionalism and shaping the career choices of early career stage dentists.     

Foreign‐Trained Dentists in Advanced Education in Prosthodontics Programs in the United States: Demographics,Perspectives on Current Training,and Future Goals

Purpose: This study investigated the perspectives of foreign‐trained dentists (FTDs) in comparison with US‐trained Dentists (USTDs) in Advanced Education in Prosthodontics (AEP) programs on their current clinical training and future goals. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by analyzing data from previously published literature. When appropriate, Chi‐square statistical analysis was conducted to determine the influence of where the AEP residents earned their DMD/DDS degree (FTDs/USTDs) on all variables. Only results that yielded significant differences were discussed. Results: A majority of both FTDs and USTDs were male. Most USTDs were married, while most FTDs were single. Most FTDs were not US citizens and most originated from Asia, followed by the Middle East, South America, and Europe. Significantly more FTDs had higher ranks in their dental schools, had more advanced degrees, and spent more time practicing before entering the AEP programs. In selecting AEP programs, FTDs placed significantly higher values on a program's reputation and research opportunities. During their AEP training, FTDs paid significantly higher tuition and received lower stipends, but obtained more financial support from families. On the other hand, USTDs received significantly more financial aid and earned income from part‐time work, but had significantly higher total educational debts. USTDs showed a significantly higher interest in becoming a student member of the American College of Prosthodontists and participated actively in prosthodontics organizations. USTDs were more interested in becoming maxillofacial prosthodontists, while FTDs were more interested in pursuing academic careers. Conclusion: FTDs differed from USTDs in several ways. Because of their interests in academics and research, FTDs may potentially have a positive impact on the development of the prosthodontics discipline. This information may be beneficial for AEP program directors in accommodating the needs of FTDs, and for FTDs in better preparing for their AEP training.     

International employment in clinical practice: influencing factors for the dental hygienist

Purpose: To assess demographics, job characteristics, geographical regions, resources and commitment, which influence dental hygienists seeking international clinical practice employment opportunities. Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to a convenience sample of members of the Dental Hygienists’ Association of the City of New York. Statistical analyses were conducted and frequency distributions and relationships between variables were calculated. Results: Seventy‐two percent of respondents reported that they are or may be interested in working overseas. Italy and Spain (67%) were the regions of most interest. Salary (65%) was cited as the most influencing factor in selection, whereas non‐compliance with the equivalency to Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards (74%) was the most frequently perceived barrier. Multiple language fluency was statistically significant (0.003) regarding interest in overseas employment. Conclusion: Policy makers, employers and educators need to be aware of these findings should recruitment be a possibility to render urgently needed oral hygiene care in regions where there is a perceived shortage of dental hygienists.     

The University of Newcastle's first cohort of Bachelor of Oral Health students: a social profile

Background: This paper reports on the socio‐demographic characteristics of the first year cohort of 52 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Oral Health programme at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales. Methods: Forty students completed paper‐based questionnaires. Results: Results show that the cohort is predominantly female (94%), the mean age of students was 26.3 years and 72.5% of students had worked as dental chairside assistants prior to enrolment as mature‐entry students. Conclusions: This study provided a unique opportunity to compare and contrast the socio‐demographic profile of first year BOH students with similar research on first year dentistry students at the University of Sydney. Aspects of the study included age, gender, type of school attended, post‐secondary qualifications and work experience, ethnicity, parents’ level of education and occupation, and career choice motivation.     

Reasons for choosing dentistry as a career: a study involving male and female first-year students in Peru

The aim of this study was to compare the reported reasons to choose dentistry as a career between Peruvian male and female first-year students. A self-completion questionnaire was administered to 75 first-year students registered at the Faculty of Dentistry of the Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. The questionnaire comprised 16 items grouped into four categories (economic, professional, vocational and personal background). Students rated the importance of each item for selecting dentistry as a career on a Likert-type scale of five points. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare groups and item scores by gender. A male/female proportion of 1/2.1 was found in the pool of participating students. When group and item scores were compared between genders, statistically significant differences were only found for vocational and personal background reasons (P < 0.05); however, the three reasons that obtained higher scores for each gender were found to be different. It is recommended that further studies be conducted to increase the sample, by extending the study and evaluating not only reasons for choosing dentistry, but also other factors that may influence the decision.     

Empowerment Through Mentorship and Leadership

Leadership is vital to future growth and change in the dental hygiene profession.Background and PurposeAs health care reform emerges, state practice acts expand and new models of dental hygiene practice are created and implemented, dental hygienists will assume leadership positions that may be quite different from the more traditional leadership roles they assume today. These dental hygienist leaders will envision, creatively design and implement oral health care programs to improve the oral health of the public. Mentoring, a vital component of leadership development, is critical for dental hygienists to acquire knowledge, guidance, and growth.MethodsThis paper provides a literature-supported overview of leadership and mentoring principles applicable to dental hygienists in their personal and professional lives. Opportunities for dental hygienists to assume leadership roles are also described.ConclusionsDental hygienists are poised to become leaders and vital members of the professional team promoting and integrating oral health care as a part of general health. Consequently, the dental hygienist's leadership roles are likely to expand and can be strengthened through mentoring relationships and mentoring teams. Ultimately, this can increase professional growth and career satisfaction for the dental hygienist as well as improve oral health care for the public.