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

Abstract

Objective: Limited research has been published on oral health therapists, particularly Australian cohorts of Bachelor of Oral Health (BOH) students who will graduate as oral health therapists. Aside from selection criteria and sample characteristics of students from some institutions, little is known about factors influencing career choice and career aspirations and workplace intentions after graduation. This study describes the characteristics, career choice factors and career aspirations of first year students enrolled at the University of Adelaide between 2005 and 2014.Methods: All first year cohorts (2005-2014) completed a self-report questionnaire as part of coursework. Demographic data, socio-economic status, career choice influences and graduate aspirations were collected and analysed. Kruskal -Wallis Tests were conducted on each variable with the cohort years.Results: Completed questionnaires suitable for analyses were received from 269 students (response rate 86%). Most students were under 21 years, in their preferred program and attended non-government schools. Males entering the profession increased. Career choice factors reflected those of other studies. The desire to work in the public sector declined after the first year of graduation with most reporting the private sector the workplace of choice after five and ten years. The stated intention of pursuing an academic career did not change and most reported the possibility of undertaking future postgraduate study. Conclusion:Working conditions and lifestyle factors have become increasing important and a growing number of males are entering the profession. Monitoring profile variations between BOH student cohorts overtime is important for program selection, recruitment and labourforce planning. If the trend continues for BOH students wanting to ultimately work in the private sector, access to care could be affected for particular population groups.

Empathetic, persistent and female: A snapshot of oral health therapy students in Australia and New Zealand

“…Approximately 90% of respondent oral health students in this study were female and in their mid‐twenties. This is consistent with demographic profiles of previous BOH student studies which reported between 61 and 97% were female and were on average between 20 and 24 years of age 15,19,22 . However, the response rate and cross‐sectional study design can limit generalisability.…”

“…Approximately half of all students in this study reported that their primary intention after study was to work in a clinical career in the private sector, and this is similar to recent BOH literature 19 . In Australia and New Zealand, the dental health system is a mixed‐modelled system where OHPs can practice in private fee‐for‐service clinics, or in public sector clinics where treatments are subsidised or fully funded by the government.…”

“…The World Health Organization recognised that although the health sector performs well with a female dominant workforce, further research and policies are needed to reduce gender imbalances, pay‐gaps, increase access to full‐time employment and workforce retention 18 . Previous literature has indicated that males entering into oral health programmes have slowly increased over time 19 . Males have reported the gender distribution in nursing as a barrier to entering the profession, 20 and it is unclear whether this is also a barrier for males entering into oral health therapy.…”

Investigation into the enablers and barriers of career satisfaction among Australian oral health therapists

“…10,11 Furthermore, it was not uncommon for practising and student DHs and OHTs to pursue a career in dentistry. [12][13][14][15] Studies found that some OHT students ranked dentistry as their primary career choice and hoped to use OHT as a stepping-stone for entry into dentistry. [13][14][15] The current literature on OHT careers has mainly utilized quantitative studies to examine the factors associated with career satisfaction.…”

“…[12][13][14][15] Studies found that some OHT students ranked dentistry as their primary career choice and hoped to use OHT as a stepping-stone for entry into dentistry. [13][14][15] The current literature on OHT careers has mainly utilized quantitative studies to examine the factors associated with career satisfaction. Therefore, well-designed qualitative research is needed to critically examine the enablers and barriers to OHTs having a satisfying career.…”