Abstract
Aims: To evaluate dental students‘ attitudes towards different dental specialties and to identify factors influencing their future career choices in terms of the most prospective field, best salary or most impact on society.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2016 using a self-completed questionnaire which was distributed to all (85) 4th year dental students (aged 23-28) at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. Local Ethical Committee approval of the study was obtained.
Results: The response rate was 60% (n=51, gender split 35 F / 16 M). Students regarded prosthetics, implantology and periodontology as the most prospective fields of dentistry. There was no significant difference between male and female (p = 0.78). Financial reward according to responders is best for implantology and then prosthetics, and again there is no difference between the sexes (p = 0.99). Preventive dentistry, prosthetics and general dental practice, respectively were regarded as having the greatest contribution to society. However 35 responders (68%) decided not to specialize. Amongst those who plan to specialize a period of 3-5 years of general practice before taking a specialization is preferred. Students were not attracted to an academic career and there was no difference between the sexes (p = 0.40). The most popular fields that students would like to pursue a career in, are general dental practice, implantology and prosthetics.
Conclusions: These data showed that there was no significant difference between perception of dental specialties between males and females. Specialties providing best future income or widest competencies are the most probable fields that students will choose for their future careers. Based on these results suggestions are made for ways to inform students about different dental specialty training, especially as they enter into their final year.
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