Australian/New Zealand Bachelor of Oral Health students: sociodemographics and career decisions

Abstract

This article describes the sociodemographic profile and factors affecting career decisions of Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) students in Australia and New Zealand. Data were collected during the 2009 and 2011 academic years via online. A total of 271 students participated. The majority were female (87.8%), single (74.5%) and of Anglo-Saxon background (59.4%), and the average age was 23.7 years. The majority indicated that their fathers had at least secondary school education. The majority (52.8%) decided to study BOH after high school, and of those who commence after high school, 53.7% worked as a dental assistant/auxiliary. Career selection was self-motivated (70.2%) and a career to 'care for and help other people' (59.6%). Most respondents wished to work in a city (59.8%), in both the public and the private sectors (47.2%). This study represents a comprehensive assessment of BOH student profile in Australia and New Zealand. Findings indicate an overall different BOH student profile compared with other oral health profession students in Australia. A significant proportion had previous employment as a dental auxiliary staff and an increasing number of male students. Findings are relevant to educators, recruitment administrators and policy makers in the way the BOH profession is presented as a career option.

Nepalese dental hygiene and dental students’ career choice motivation and plans after graduation: a descriptive cross-sectional comparison

“…According to a recent survey by the FDI geographical mal-distribution of dentists is a problem regardless of the economic development of a country and migration to larger cities is an international trend [ 21 ]. A majority of this study’s students preferred to work in urban areas, a finding that aligns with other studies [ 4 , 21 , 31 , 35 , 36 , 49 , 50 ] with only 10 % intending to work in rural areas after graduation. This will not benefit the 80 % of Nepalese people that live in rural areas [ 51 ].…”

“…In other international studies, choosing dentistry is often related to the social status and lifestyle of the profession, as much as the desire to serve others and work in health [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 31 , 34 , 35 ]. A recent study of Australian Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) students showed that caring and helping other people was the primary motivation for study selection [ 36 ]. Findings here reveal that working in health care and interest to serve the community were most commonly cited as a reason to study dentistry or dental hygiene.…”

Profile of oral health students over a ten year period and their practice intentions after graduation

“…It included sociodemographic detail such as age, sex, country of birth, schooling, family's academic background and occupation, tertiary career preferences and perceived workplaces after graduation. The variables were based on those included in previous studies of dentists and BOH student's career choices over a long period [4,[14][15][16][17]. School type variables relating to where students completed their secondary schooling were; South Australian, Other Australian, or overseas State school; and South Australian, Other Australian and Overseas Private School.…”

“…There has been limited research published about the profile of Australian OHT students since the inception of OHT programs. Selection criteria and sample characteristics of BOH students at the University of Adelaide [1], the profiles of Newcastle undergraduates [2], and sociodemographic detail and career decisions of Australian and New Zealand BOH students [3,4] have recently been reported. Marino et al [4] reported a growing number of males entering the profession, a greater proportion with a dental assisting background and a greater proportion being self-directed in their career motivation 'to care for and help other people'.…”

“…Selection criteria and sample characteristics of BOH students at the University of Adelaide [1], the profiles of Newcastle undergraduates [2], and sociodemographic detail and career decisions of Australian and New Zealand BOH students [3,4] have recently been reported. Marino et al [4] reported a growing number of males entering the profession, a greater proportion with a dental assisting background and a greater proportion being self-directed in their career motivation 'to care for and help other people'. Other information is gathering about the profession such as the acceptance and utilisation of OHTs in the workforce [5][6][7] flexible delivery of care [8], employment pathways and work preparedness [9].…”