Dental Students' Perceptions of Dental Specialties and Factors Influencing Specialty and Career Choices

作者：Dhima Matilda; Petropoulos Vicki C; Han Rita K; Kinnunen Taru; Wright Robert F^*

来源：Journal of Dental Education, 2012, 76(5): 562-573.

• dental education
• economics of dental education
• postdoctoral dental education
• dental students
• dental education debt
• dental careers
• dental specialties
• specialty training

The goals of this study were to 1) evaluate dental students' perceptions of dental specialties; 2) identify factors that play an important role in students' decision to pursue specialty training or career choices, and 3) establish a baseline of students' perceptions of the dental fields with the best future in terms of salary, personal and patient quality of life, and overall impact on the dental profession. Surveys were distributed to 494 students at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Data were collected from 380 traditional four-year students and thirty advanced standing students. Chi-square tests, multivariate analysis, and logistic regressions were used to determine associations and independent contributions of student demographics to their perceptions of dental specialties and factors influencing specialty training or career choices. Debt was a statistically significant factor (p<0.001) in choosing specialty training or career independent of gender, age, or class year. Enjoyment of providing care in a specialty or field was identified as the single most important factor in choosing a specialty career. Half of the respondents had decided not to specialize. Pursuing postdoctoral general dentistry training and private practice in general dentistry were the most commonly reported plans after completion of dental school. Suggestions are made for ways to inform students about specialty training.

• 出版日期2012-5