A Cross-Sectional Survey among First Year Dental Students Assessing the Reasons for Dentistry as a Career

Abstract

Aim: Career choice is one of the most important and critical decisions in a student's life. Educators and admission committees are also interested in analyzing the factors that affect a student's decision to opt for dentistry. Various studies have been conducted to study motives for choosing dentistry as a carrier option. Research into the career motivation of dental profession is vital to assist in counselling of prospective dental students. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the factors that led to the choice of dentistry as an occupation among the first-year dental students.

Materials and Methods:  A cross-sectional survey of 100 first year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of total eight close-ended questions, which included demographic (age and gender) and career choice-related items. Data was collected and analyzed.

Result: Majority of the respondents chose dentistry as it provides a financially lucrative, contained career in health care, with professional status, job security and the opportunity to work flexibly.

Conclusion: In this study, personal factors strongly influenced the student’s intrinsic motivation for pursuing dentistry.