Motivations for a Career in Dentistry among Dental Students and Dental Interns in Kenya

A number of factors have been cited as determinants for choosing a career in dentistry around the globe. The purpose of this study was to determine motivations for a career in dentistry among dental students and dental interns in Kenya. This was a cross-sectional study where 293 individuals participated by filling and returning self-administered questionnaires. The mean age of all respondents was 22.3 years. Overall, 59.5% of the respondents had selected dentistry as their preferred career at the end of high school. Majority (76.1%) of the respondents agreed that personal interest in dentistry was an important motivating factor for them. This was followed closely by a desire to help or serve people (74%), a desire for a flexible work schedule (63%), and an aspiration to be self-employed (61.8%). There was no difference between males and females regarding these as motivating factors. On the other hand, among factors that the respondents felt had the lowest influence on their choice of dentistry was parental influence, where only 22% of the respondents indicated that this was a motivating factor for them. Other potential motivating factors such as influence by friends and siblings (30.3%) as well as career talk and guidance (41.3%) were also ranked low. In general, the respondents indicated that they were motivated much more by personal and humanitarian factors, when compared to financial and societal factors.

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WHY LIBYAN STUDENTS CHOOSE DENTISTRY AS A CAREER?

The Libyan Dentail Journal ◽

10.5542//ldj.v5i0.21721253 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

Author(s):

Iman Bugaighis ◽

Marwan Al-Omami

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dental Students ◽

Motivating Factors ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Maximum Score ◽

Anonymous Questionnaire ◽

First Choice ◽

Coincidence Factor ◽

Academic Year

Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the reasons for choosing dentistry as a career among Libyan undergraduate dental students attending the Dental Faculty, University of Benghazi during the academic year 2011-2012.Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of a cohort of 192 dentalstudents (87 males and 105 females; 19-26 years old) attending the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Benghazi. An anonymous questionnaire included 30 questions was administered to all the students and they were required to rate the importance of 28 items on a 10 point Visual Analogue Scale ‘VAS’. Parametric tests were employed toexplore the significant discrepancies between scores of different groups.Results: Dentistry was the first choice for 78.6% with no significant sex difference.Helping people was given the maximum score by the students followed by the scientific factor. While, the least scores were given to the coincidence factor. There were no observed sexual dimorphism in the response of all the questions (p ≥0.058), except that females appeared to be significantly influenced by their high grades at high schools compared to males (P= 0.032).Conclusions: Helping people and scientific factors were found to be the most motivating factors for both sexes. Career education programmes at schools might help students to choose their careers.

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Global Prevalence and Drivers of Dental Students’ COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9060566 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. 566

Author(s):

Abanoub Riad ◽

Huthaifa Abdulqader ◽

Mariana Morgado ◽

Silvi Domnori ◽

Michal Koščík ◽

...

Keyword(s):

International Association ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dental Students ◽

Vaccine Hesitancy ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Middle Income ◽

Related Attitude ◽

The Media ◽

Acceptance Levels

Background: Acceleration of mass vaccination strategies is the only pathway to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals and students have a key role in shaping public opinion about vaccines. This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes of dental students globally towards COVID-19 vaccines and explore the potential drivers for students’ acceptance levels. Methods: A global cross-sectional study was carried out in February 2021 using an online questionnaire. The study was liaised by the scientific committee of the International Association of Dental Students (IADS), and data were collected through the national and local coordinators of IADS member organizations. The dependent variable was the willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine, and the independent variables included demographic characteristics, COVID-19-related experience, and the drivers of COVID-19 vaccine-related attitude suggested by the WHO SAGE. Results: A total of 6639 students from 22 countries, representing all world regions, responded to the questionnaire properly. Their mean age was 22.1 ± 2.8 (17–40) years, and the majority were females (70.5%), in clinical years (66.8%), and from upper-middle-income economies (45.7%). In general, 22.5% of dental students worldwide were hesitant, and 13.9% rejected COVID-19 vaccines. The students in low- and lower-middle-income (LLMI) economies had significantly higher levels of vaccine hesitancy compared to their peers in upper-middle- and high-income (UMHI) economies (30.4% vs. 19.8%; p < 0.01). Conclusions: The global acceptance level of dental students for COVID-19 vaccines was suboptimal, and their worrisome level of vaccine hesitancy was influenced by the socioeconomic context where the dental students live and study. The media and social media, public figures, insufficient knowledge about vaccines, and mistrust of governments and the pharmaceutical industry were barriers to vaccination. The findings of this study call for further implementation of epidemiology (infectious diseases) education within undergraduate dental curricula.

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Smart phone usage and addiction among dental students in Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2016-0133 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Elluru Venkatesh ◽

Mohammad Yousef Al Jemal ◽

Abdullah Saleh Al Samani

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Social Networking Sites ◽

High Stress ◽

Smart Phone ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dental Students ◽

Smartphone Addiction ◽

Short Version ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

Abstract Purpose The main aim of this research is to explore measures of smart phone usage, smart phone addiction, and their associations with demographic and health behavior-related variables among dental students in Saudi Arabia. Methods A Cross sectional study involving sample of 205 dental students from Qaseem Private College were surveyed for smart phone use and addiction using the short version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale for Adolescents (SAS-SV). Results Smart phone addiction was seen in 136 (71.9%) of the 189 students. The findings from our study revealed that high stress levels, low physical activity, higher body mass index (BMI), longer duration of smart phone usage, higher frequency of usage, shorter time period until first smart phone use in the morning and social networking sites (SNS) were associated significantly with the smart phone addiction. Conclusion The current research gives the information about the extent of smart phone over usage and addiction among the dental students in Saudi Arabia with indication of the predictors of addiction and the need for further research in the area with comprehensible interpretation to spread the awareness of the smart phone addiction.

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Knowledge about biosafety measures in clinical setting during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study with Brazilian dental students

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2022.9 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 1-25

Author(s):

Matheus dos Santos Fernandez ◽

Andreia Morales Cascaes ◽

Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes Muniz ◽

Nathalia Ribeiro Jorge da Silva ◽

Camilla Hubner Bielavski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Setting ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dental Students ◽

Control Measures ◽

Practical Training ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Medium Level

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of Brazilian dental students about biosafety measures that should be adopted in the clinical setting during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 1,050 dental students was conducted. A semi-structured questionnaire was shared with students. Mean knowledge score on biosafety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic was the outcome, with a maximum of 8 scores. Explanatory variables included sociodemographic and educational characteristics, aspects related to biosafety education, actions adopted by the dental schools during the pandemic, and sources of biosafety information. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Mean knowledge score was 5.19 (1.28). Female students (β=0.346; 95%CI:0.154–0.539), those enrolled in the intermediate (β=0.525; 95%CI:0.167–0.883) or final (β=0.569; 95%CI:0.200–0.937) stage of course, and those who had already received theoretical-practical training in biosafety (β=0.464; 95%CI:0.063–0.866) presented higher mean knowledge scores. Students who did not receive guidance on aerosol control measures before the pandemic (β=-0.324; 95%CI:-0.519–-0.130) had the lowest score. Conclusion: Students presented a medium level of knowledge about dental biosafety measures in the COVID-19 pandemic. Sociodemographic characteristics and those related to the institutional profile of the participants, and access to orientation and training in biosafety may influence their knowledge.

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Oral Hygiene Practice And Perceived Oral Malodour Among Dental And Medical Undergraduate Students Of Bahria University Medical And Dental College

Journal of Bahria University Medical and Dental College ◽

10.51985/jbumdc2018057 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 08 (04) ◽

pp. 221-225

Author(s):

Beenish Fatima Alam ◽

Hira Raza ◽

Shizma junejo ◽

Marium Azfar ◽

Tuba Saleem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Oral Hygiene ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dental Students ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical Undergraduate ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Medical Undergraduate Students

Objective: To determine the differences of self-perception of halitosis and oral hygiene practices among the medical and dental undergraduate students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted over duration of 9 months amongst the medical and dental undergraduate students of Bahria University Medical and Dental College. The questionnaires were distributed to 298 students. Questionnaire employed for this study was adopted and modified from the study conducted by Khalid Almas et al. Descriptive statistics were checked by means of percentages and frequency for all variables. Chi-square test was applied to check significant difference among the responses given by the medical and dental undergraduate students. Results: The response rate for the survey was about 85%. 55% of dental and 17 % of medical students were able to smell their breath. About having examination by dentist about 73% of medical students agreed as compared to 53% of dental students. Both medical and dental students preferred having examination done by the dentist. For management of halitosis, dentist was preferred by 62% of the dental students, while 97% of the medical students did not agree. 62% of the dental students preferred using traditional medications, while 82% of the medical students preferred using self-medications for treatment. Conclusion: The results suggest that there is not a high level of agreement among dental and medical students concerning the detection and management of halitosis. Although large percent of the respondents claimed to be aware of dentistry, our findings revealed low level of knowledge and attitude to Dentistry by the medical undergraduate students. Efforts should be made towards closing this knowledge gap to attain effective oral health.

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Depression, Anxiety and Stress among Dental Undergraduate Students: Prevalence, Stressors and Relieving Factors

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia ◽

10.31436/imjm.v17i2.946 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Munirah Yaacob ◽

Nor Asilah Harun ◽

Farizah Ramli ◽

Hannah Abdul Razak ◽

Noor Aisyah Sajuni

Keyword(s):

Undergraduate Students ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Dental Students ◽

Dental Student ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Symptoms ◽

Stress Relieving

Aim: To investigate the depression, anxiety and stress, stressors and relieving factors among dental students at Kulliyyah of Dentistry (KOD). Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 dental students. Their socio-demographic data, self-reported depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21) scores, causes and relieving factors were collected using validated semi-structured pre-tested questionnaires. The data was analysed using percentages, chi-square test and Binary logistic regression tests with SPSS version 24. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 41%, 68.9% and 34.2% respectively. Cross analysis showed that academic-related and laboratory or clinical related reasons were significantly associated with the depressive symptoms [(X2= 15.86, p<0.0001) and (X2= 10.45, p=0.001) respectively] and stress symptoms [(X2= 19.95, p<0.0001) and (X2= 6.11, p<0.05) respectively] among dental student. Furthermore, the item ‘examination’ being the highest factor chosen in academic-related stressors. The response for stress-relieving factors was high for Islamic ritual prayer/spiritual activities (94.6%), sleeping (86.5%) and doing exercise/playing sports (76.1%), while ‘seeking professional help’ (19.8%) was the least. Conclusion: This study shows that depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms are prevalent among dental students. Islamic ritual prayer and involvement in spiritual related activities was found to be the most preferred way for students to relief stress. Hence, it is vital that the university continually evaluates the psychological health of the students, tailor preventive measures and spiritual related programs to help students to cope with stress.

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Student Profile: Motivations, Contributions and Barriers to Engage in Extracurricular Activities

10.21203/rs.3.rs-267525/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Renata Nunes Achar Fujii ◽

Renata Kobayasi ◽

Sylvia Claassen Enns ◽

Patrícia Zen Tempski

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Extracurricular Activities ◽

Time Management ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Male Students ◽

First Year ◽

Motivating Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Student Profile ◽

Personal Time

Abstract Background: Extracurricular activities in medical education and are defined as any social, philanthropic, non-mandatory and unpaid activity. Some of these activities allow students to interact with the community providing care, learning and experiences for both. The purpose of this study is to describe the motivational aspects, the learnings and the barriers involved in the practice of these activities. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with medical students attending the first to the fifth year of medicine. We used qualitative and quantitative analyses to understand the motivating aspects, barriers and contributions involved in the practice of extracurricular activities. Results: Of the 586 students regularly enrolled in the medical course, 462 students accepted to participate in the research (Response rate: 78.43%), with 159 male students (34, 4%) and 303 female students (65.6%). Most of medical students (58,01%) participate in extracurricular activities with less participation during the first year (10,9%) and internship (35,4%). Among the motivating factors, students reported the desire to contribute to society, support their professional choice and learning. The students mentioned as learnings: integration of knowledge, life experiences, and development of communication, teamwork, leadership, responsibility, empathy and resilience. The barriers mentioned were the limited spots, the selection, the lack of support from those involved, personal, time management and possible losses in academic performance, physical and financial resources. Conclusion: Extracurricular activities allow medical students to develop skills and attitudes that are important to their future as a doctor. Students are motivated to participate in these activities to contribute to society, support their future professional choice and improve their learning.

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