The emerging dental workforce: why dentistry? A quantitative study of final year dental students' views on their professional career

Abstract

Background: Dental graduates are joining a profession experiencing changes in systems of care, funding and skill mix. Research into the motivation and expectations of the emerging workforce is vital to inform professional and policy decisions. The objective of this research was to investigate final year dental students' perceived motivation for their choice of career in relation to sex, ethnicity and mode of entry.

Widening access? Characteristics of applicants to medical and dental schools, compared with UCAS

“…32 She suggests that 'policies to widen participation in medical education must go beyond a knowledge defi cit model and address the complex social and cultural environment within which individual life choices are embedded' . 32 Furthermore, to attract students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, financial costs which act as a barrier to a fi veyear degree programme for socially disadvantaged students in particular, 32 must also be taken into consideration; tuition fees 33,34 and student debt, [35][36][37] are very real issues for medical and dental students who have long programmes, diverse geographic placements and longer academic terms that limit students' opportunities to earn money during their programme compared with their peers.…”

“…29 This effect is clearly demonstrated in one London dental school where the majority of students are Asian. 35 …”

The career intentions, work-life balance and retirement plans of dental undergraduates at the University of Bristol

“…1 In 2014, 1311 UK graduates were added to the General Dental Council (GDC) register, 2 and these newly qualified dentists enter a profession undergoing changes within care systems, skill mix and funding. 3 Whilst an undergraduate, individuals are exposed to various dental specialities and may gain insight of what it is like to be a dentist in current society. This knowledge, along with a number of other factors are likely to influence dental students' future career choices.…”

Expectativas de especialización profesional en estudiantes de odontología. Revisión de literatura

“…Gallagher y col. (24) encontraron que el "asesoramiento profesional" y la opinión de "amigos" y la "familia" fueron menos reconocidos como influencias en la decisión de especializarse, reforzando el concepto que es una elección personal (24).…”