Expectations Regarding Dental Practice: A Cross-Sectional Survey of European Dental Students

Abstract

Obtaining information on expectations among dental students regarding their career planning was the main purpose of this observational online survey. The questionnaire was designed with 18 items in five different languages: English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Data were collected on nationality, age, sex, country of residence, university attended, semester, expected year of graduation and expectations about future career. More than 3000 participants (n = 3851, 2863 females 74.34% and 988 males 25.66% with a sex ratio of 0.35) participated in the survey. Almost one-third (31.29%) of the participants plan to start their own practice at least three years after vocational training, a quarter (25.76%) after three, and only 12.59% after one year. A positive influence of the family in the decision to start a practice was observed in 50.07% of the sample with a statistically significant difference regarding sex (p < 0.01). Almost one-third of the participants did not wish to work in an institution run by private equity or insurance companies, while 21.79% would work in that environment (p < 0.01). European dental students desire mainly to become self-employed and start their own practice. New professional practices also offer them options for their future career that they have not yet decided on or thought about.

COVID-19 in Switzerland and Liechtenstein: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Dentists’ Awareness, Protective Measures and Economic Effects

“…However, the effects on smaller practice structures such as individual practices may be different from those of larger ones, such as dental centers [21]. The uncertain situation may also have a decisive influence on the young dental profession and may also change expectations of the profession and possibly discourage the establishment of a practice in the near future, thus changing the landscape of dental professions as well as oral health care in Switzerland and Liechtenstein [22,23]. The effects of the lack of patient flows that would have economic effects could primarily be the changeover to short-time work, reduction in working hours or even the dismissal of salaried dentists and employees.…”

Assessment of Dental Student Satisfaction after Internships in Collaborative Dental Practices in Saxony—A Retrospective Questionnaire Analysis

“…Some surveys at European universities have proven that the dental students possessed excellent theoretical knowledge as well as basic clinical skills; however, they were still lacking in the experience of complex treatments, which could lead to a reduced willingness for independent practice [35]. Professional practices during their dental education also offered them options for their professional future that they have not yet decided on [36]. European dentistry students mainly aim to become self-employed and work in their own practice.…”

Career expectations and the motivating factors for studying dentistry in Libya

“…Most recent Libyan dental graduates are self-employed, and a small proportion of them work for fixed salaries in the public sector [ 15 ]. By contrast, studies of European dental students reported that they would not like to establish their practice until several years after their training [ 28 ] reflecting variations in the healthcare systems. Experts in Libya called for reforming the healthcare system to accommodate the emerging workforce which exceeds the actual capacity of the health sector [ 29 ].…”