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Motivations for a Career in Dentistry among Dental Students and Dental Interns in Kenya.

ABSTRACT: A number of factors have been cited as determinants for choosing a career in dentistry around the globe. The purpose of this study was to determine motivations for a career in dentistry among dental students and dental interns in Kenya. This was a cross-sectional study where 293 individuals participated by filling and returning self-administered questionnaires. The mean age of all respondents was 22.3 years. Overall, 59.5% of the respondents had selected dentistry as their preferred career at the end of high school. Majority (76.1%) of the respondents agreed that personal interest in dentistry was an important motivating factor for them. This was followed closely by a desire to help or serve people (74%), a desire for a flexible work schedule (63%), and an aspiration to be self-employed (61.8%). There was no difference between males and females regarding these as motivating factors. On the other hand, among factors that the respondents felt had the lowest influence on their choice of dentistry was parental influence, where only 22% of the respondents indicated that this was a motivating factor for them. Other potential motivating factors such as influence by friends and siblings (30.3%) as well as career talk and guidance (41.3%) were also ranked low. In general, the respondents indicated that they were motivated much more by personal and humanitarian factors, when compared to financial and societal factors.

SUBMITTER: Lukandu OM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7411455 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Motivations for a Career in Dentistry among Dental Students and Dental Interns in Kenya.

Lukandu Ochiba M OM Koskei Lilian C LC Dimba Elizabeth O EO

International journal of dentistry 20200729

A number of factors have been cited as determinants for choosing a career in dentistry around the globe. The purpose of this study was to determine motivations for a career in dentistry among dental students and dental interns in Kenya. This was a cross-sectional study where 293 individuals participated by filling and returning self-administered questionnaires. The mean age of all respondents was 22.3 years. Overall, 59.5% of the respondents had selected dentistry as their preferred career at th ...[more]

PMID: 32802057

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Project description:ObjectivesTo determine the motivations of postgraduate dental students to pursue a specialist dental career and their concerns prior to and during the program.MethodsA 3-part online survey comprising of participants' background, motivations and concerns and quality of life during the program, was distributed to students enrolled in the Doctor of Clinical Dentistry program in Australia and New Zealand from April to May 2018. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Two separate reminders were provided two and four weeks after the initial survey was distributed.ResultsThere was a 53.6% response rate (97/181 participants). The main factor for pursing a dental specialist degree was intellectual stimulation. Participants who were aged 40 years and above and those who were divorced/separated were most concerned about the amount of study required and finances during the program. Participants in their final year were most concerned about their personal relationships during the program. Orthodontic, oral medicine and paedodontic trainees reported concerns about the lack of exposure of their specialty during undergraduate training while periodontics and orthodontic trainees reported having the least exposure while working.ConclusionThis study showed that dental specialist trainees in Australia and New Zealand were primarily motivated to pursue a specialty for intellectual stimulation. Most students were concerned about the amount of study required, finances and having a work/life balance during the training program. Most students planned to work as associates in private practice upon graduation. Financial benefits may be required to stimulate an interest in academia.Clinical significanceAn understanding of the motivations of postgraduate students is important to help dental programs mentor students in their future career pathway, improve the selection of candidates for the specialty programs and identify key areas to provide support, prior to, or during the program.

Project description:Background: The recent pandemic outbreak has created a huge impact on dentistry. Dental students and dental professionals are at a higher risk because dental practice comprises close communication and widespread exposure to blood, saliva, and other body fluids. It is imperative to evaluate the knowledge and perceptions regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) among budding dentists. Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of dental students regarding dental practices during COVID-19. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among undergraduate students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire consisting of demographic, knowledge, and attitude-based questions were circulated among the study population, and the responses for the knowledge and attitude were scored. Their mean scores were then calculated. Chi-square test and nonparametric tests were computed using SPSS version 21 software, and p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: 388 undergraduate dental students have participated in the study from Saudi Arabia. 68% of the respondents believed that they had sufficient knowledge regarding COVID-19. The mean score for knowledge was 5.84 out of 7. Females (6.24) scored statistically significantly higher than males (5.55, p < = 0.001). The mean attitude score was 6.34 out of 9. 93% were using PPE models, while 95% maintained social distancing. Out of all the participating dental students, only 16% were willing to treat patients during the pandemic, and 28% did not want to treat patients, 28% preferred teledentistry. The majority (44%) of dental undergraduates were willing to handle only emergency cases. Conclusion: Accurate knowledge and attitude regarding COVID-19 and diversified opinion on preventive practices during the pandemic period among budding dental professionals evident from Saudi Arabia. Mixed opinions were witnessed among them in seeking help from professional societies. The majority of dental undergraduates were willing to handle only emergency cases.

Dataset Information

Motivations for a Career in Dentistry among Dental Students and Dental Interns in Kenya.

Publications

Motivations for a Career in Dentistry among Dental Students and Dental Interns in Kenya.

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