Reasons for choosing dentistry as a career among dental students in Saudi Arabia
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Volume
12
Pagination
275 - 280
Publisher
Publisher URL
DOI
10.4103/ejd.ejd_335_17
Journal
European Journal of Dentistry
Issue
ISSN
1305-7456
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Objective: This study aimed to identify reasons and influential factors for choosing dentistry as a career among dental
students in Saudi Arabia. The preferred field of dental specialty following graduation will also be investigated. Materials
and Methods: A questionnaire was developed and circulated among undergraduate dental students studying at a private
dental college in Saudi Arabia. A list of 16 reasons that possibly influenced students’ decision to study dentistry was
presented and participants were invited to indicate on a 5-point Likert scale the extent each reason influenced their
choice of dentistry as a career. The listed reasons were categorized into economic, professional, vocational, social and
personal reasons. Results: Totally, 788 out of 970 questionnaires were completed (response rate: 81%). Proportion of
female students exceeded proportion of male students (59% and 41%, respectively) and most participants were Saudi
students (73%). The top three influential factors on students’ decision to study dentistry were “Dentistry is a prestigious
profession,” “I like to treat people and improve their appearance,” and “I like working with people and caring for them.”
Variations were identified between male and female students and also between Saudi and non‑Saudi students in the reasons
to choose dentistry as a career. The vast majority of participants (94%) expressed a desire to follow a postgraduate study.
Orthodontics and oral surgery were the most preferred dental specialties. Conclusion: The social and vocational reasons
were the main factors that motivated this group of dental students to attend a dental program. Greater training opportunities
should be planned to accommodate the speculated increasing demand for postgraduate dental education in Saudi Arabia.