Final-Year Dental Undergraduate Attitudes towards Specialisation

Identification of prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and various risk factors in dentists

Purpose

The awkward and repetitive movements lead to tissue straining, potentially leading to painful musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). MSDs in dentists result in work inefficiency and a reduction in work hours. A survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of MSDs amongst the dental population of interest.

Methods

Customized individual detail questionnaires, Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaires, and Level of Pain estimation using the Likert Scale were used to deduce the various responsible risk factors for the occurrence of MSDs in dentists. Inferential statistical analysis was done to identify the prevalence and severity of the MSDs. The Chi-Square test (95 % confidence interval) was used to identify and compare the association of risk factors involved in MSDs with the occurrence of the Effect of MSDs, the presence of MSDs, and the severity of the MSDs.

Results

The results of the study deduced that the dentists followed the sedentary work practices. The dentists experienced maximum discomfort in the neck region, which was accompanied by the discomfort experienced in the lower back, hands and wrists, making the upper extremity being more susceptible to the MSDs. Gender risk factors the, the prevalence of MSDs in the dentist's upper back, and the severity of pain in the upper back region showed a significant association level.

Conclusion

The wrist posture, the prevalence of MSDs and the severity of pain in the dentists' neck, shoulder and upper back showed a significant association level.

Mapping of dental graduates' career paths in Hong Kong, Japan and mainland China

Dental graduates have a variety of career-path choices. After graduation, they may join private dental practice, government- or hospital-based dental care services, research groups, academia, business or industry. With globalization and frequent international exchange, dental graduates nowadays can explore careers outside their home country. However, dental education systems and job opportunities vary widely across different regions and countries. Diversity of accreditation in dental education, different licensure requirements, and lack of global competencies in dental care often limit the globalization, operation and survival of dental practice and education worldwide. The requirements for professional education and practice can be quite diverse, and these differences will be barriers to dental graduates seeking career development outside their home home country. Fresh dental graduates have minimal experience in job hunting. More specifically, they are unfamiliar with potential career paths. This paper was based on the 4th trilateral symposium 2022 organized by The University of Hong Kong, Tohoku University, and Fujian Medical University, which offered a lecture to discuss career paths for dental graduates in Hong Kong, Japan, and mainland China. The aim of this paper was to provide dentists, particularly fresh graduated dental students, with practical insight into different career paths in Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China, SAR), Japan and mainland China, and factors that may influence their career options. It assists dental students in exploring possibilities in dentistry and preparing for their career development after graduation from dental school.

Motivations and future plans of the final year students in a Chinese dental school

BACKGROUND

Understanding dental students' future career choice and motivation could provide beneficial references for both educators and students, but there were few studies on students in a Chinese dental school. The study aimed to investigate Chinese final year dental students' the short-term and long-term plans, motivations, and identify the influence of gender on the future plans.

METHODS

A total of 265 final year dental school students of the School of Stomatology, China Medical University from 2016 through 2020 were invited to complete an anonymous, 27-item questionnaire. Moreover, almost all of questions were in multiple-choice formats. Data were categorized and analysed using chi-square comparative analyses.

RESULTS

88.3% of respondents decided to pursue a graduate degree after graduating from dental school. Moreover, the single most important reason influencing their plans was "eligible for better jobs" (42.8%). More females than males studied dentistry (222 vs 111), and gender had an influence on the choice of specialty.

CONCLUSIONS

This study listed the selection tendency and influencing factors of students in a Chinese dental school for the reference of educators and students. And the results could raise some useful influence and feedback effect on current health and education policy, and on the career development of practicing dentists or dental students.

Work situation and prospects of recently graduated dentists in the Netherlands

INTRODUCTION

Dentists who have graduated recently from a Dutch dental school work mainly in the Netherlands, where collaboration and differentiation are relevant factors. Furthermore, the Netherlands face regional undersupplies of dentists. The objective of this study was to describe choices and aims of recently graduated dentists for the near future.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An invitation for the web questionnaire was sent by e-mail to 945 dentists who had graduated from a Dutch dental school between 2013 and 2017, of whom 230 (24.3%) participated in the survey.

RESULTS

Approximately three quarters (77%) of the recently graduated dentists worked as a general dentist in a practice of some else, primarily in urban areas. The choice for a practice was affected by location, earnings, and the opportunity to gain experience. Furthermore, the career choices were affected most by the desired length of the working week and financial security. The narrow majority (53%) of the recently graduated dentists believed that in 5 years they will be practice owner; 49% expected to be a differentiated dentist. Furthermore, 41% believed they will work in a smaller municipality.

DISCUSSION

Although recently graduated dentists seem receptive to work in smaller municipalities, the peripheral regions are conceivably less appealing. Practice ownership conceivably is an option for the near future for a narrow majority of the recently graduated dentists.

CONCLUSION

Recently graduated dentists have different preferences regarding their work situation in 5 years.

Factors influencing international and U.S. dentists' interest in advanced periodontal education: a pilot study

Background

The enrollment of international periodontal students in U.S. dental schools has been increasing in recent years. Interest in applying to a periodontics specialty program may differ between U.S and international dental school graduates. The purpose of this study is to assess, from the perspective of periodontal residents, (1) factors that interest dental students to apply to periodontics programs and (2) differences in background and interest between U.S and international graduates.

Methods

A 20-question survey was sent out electronically to periodontics residents. The survey questions were designed to obtain information on the participants’ backgrounds, factors that influenced them to specialize in periodontics, and their preferred features of graduate periodontics programs. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for socio-demographic variables, a Wilcoxon two sample test to compare mean Likert scale scores, and Fisher’s exact test for associations between comparison groups.

Results

Of the two hundred residents invited to participate, 28% responded. The majority of the respondents stated that interest in implantology, previous exposure to periodontal procedures, interest in improving periodontal surgery skills, a good relationship with periodontics faculty, the residency curriculum, advanced program and faculty reputation as influencing factors in selecting periodontics as specialization. The majority of international graduates have up to $50,000 dollars in student debt; by comparison, half of the domestic graduates have a debt of over $250,000 dollars (p ≤ 0.05). Working experience as a dentist was significantly greater among international residents (73%) in comparison to U.S graduates (32%). In contrast with international graduates, U.S graduates more frequent reported that good relationships with the periodontics predoctoral faculty contributed to their interest in periodontics (p ≤ 0.05). Program cost and location had a greater impact on the decision of U.S. graduates than international graduates (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

Overall, factors associated with personal finance and predoctoral education have a greater impact on the decision of American graduates than international graduates to pursue an advanced education in periodontics, which may influence the increased enrollment of international students.

A University-based Survey of Career Choices and Perspectives on Higher Education among Dental Students in United Arab Emirates

Background:

Over the past decade, higher education has made significant progress in the Gulf Corporation Council Region (GCC) due to the promotion and investments made by the local governments. Medical and dental higher education has undergone massive transformation across all the universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the implementation of innovative educational policies.

Objectives:

The objective of the survey was to determine the career choices and assess the perspectives on higher education among dental students of a medical university in the UAE.

Methodology:

Structured closed-ended survey questionnaire was provided to 377 respondents at a dental school of a private medical university in UAE.

Results:

The results of the survey revealed that 51% of the respondents wanted to pursue specialization in dentistry. Orthodontics (33%), endodontics (28%) and oral surgery (16%) were the most preferred branches for specialization. UAE was the most preferred destination for pursuing specialization. Quality of education and proximity to the family were the most common reasons for selecting UAE as the destination for specialization. 36% of the survey respondents wanted more dental post-graduate seats to be available in the UAE. 57% of the survey respondents felt that the cost of post-graduation is comparable to other countries. 64% of the survey respondents felt that Doctor of Philosophy(PhD) program should be offered by medical universities in the UAE.

Conclusion:

To conclude it can be stated that dental undergraduate students in the UAE prefer to pursue specialization in clinical branches like orthodontics, endodontics and oral surgery. Majority of the respondents prefer to pursue their specialization in the UAE due to the quality of education. Survey respondents felt that there was a need to offer more dental post-graduation and dental PhD programs by UAE universities.

Ten years on: an online questionnaire evaluation of the UK special care dentistry specialist workforce

Aims To provide information on the demographics and work patterns of the UK special care dentistry (SCD) specialist workforce.Design A self-administered electronic questionnaire.Setting All UK-based SCD specialists on the membership of the British Society for Disability and Oral Health and the British Society of Gerodontology.Materials and methods An electronic questionnaire was distributed to a potential 301 SCD specialists. Responses were descriptively analysed.Results One hundred responses (33%) were received. The majority of respondents were female (74%) and/or of white ethnicity (86%). Three-quarters (78%) were based in England and a third (37%) were based in South East England. Two-thirds (66%) worked in the community dental service. Forty-eight percent work part-time and 32% have had a career break. Forty-three percent are planning to retire by 2026 and approximately half (53%) plan to retire by 2031. A significant minority (44%) do not feel appropriately paid.Conclusions Workforce planners should anticipate the impact on specialist provision due to a combination of a predominantly female workforce with associated working patterns, an anticipated loss of numbers and experience, and the effect financial dissatisfaction may have on attracting trainees. Efforts should be made to increase racial diversity.

Exploring the impact of digital professionalism awareness training on dental undergraduate students

INTRODUCTION

Since the publication of GDC guidance, there have been small, but rising numbers of Fitness to Practise (FtP) cases made against qualified dentists, relating to the use of social media. Prior to graduation, dental students currently receive training in the appropriate use of social media, but more work is needed to determine the most effective methods do this. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of the digital professionalism awareness training provided at one UK-based institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In year 2, a "brown envelope" is compiled using an online publicly available Facebook profile search for every student. All year 2 to 5 dental undergraduate students at one UK dental school who had completed the "brown envelope" were invited to participate in focus groups to examine its impact on behaviour change. A qualitative framework analysis method was applied to the transcripts.

RESULTS

Eleven dental undergraduate students participated in two focus groups. All students had experienced the "brown envelope" intervention. Four main themes emerged, including: a clear expression of dental student autonomy and rejection of regulation; that online activity in dentistry is different to medicine; that the intervention is useful and changed online behaviour; and constructive suggestions for improving training.

CONCLUSION

The interactive "brown envelope" intervention for digital professionalism awareness training was well received and appeared to result in actionable behavioural change on student profiles (eg alterations in privacy settings or restricting access to their own "friends lists").

Does Presence of role Models at Undergraduate Training Level Impact the Choice of Specialization as Maxillofacial Surgery for Young Women Dental Graduates?: Qualitative Study and Review Of Literature

INTRODUCTION

Even though dentistry is becoming a women-dominated profession, this is not translating into the choosing oral and maxillofacial surgery as a specialization. Hence, this study was undertaken to analyse factors impacting the choice of specialization and what impact does presence of role models as an intervention have on the attitudes of these young women on their overall career choice decisions.

PURPOSE

This qualitative study was undertaken with the aim of understanding and analyzing the impact of role models on the overall shift in attitude of young women graduate students towards oral and maxillofacial surgery as a specialty.

METHODS

Eleven women maxillofacial faculties from all over the country participated in this study conducted during the 2020 Pandemic. In this study, through the online teaching programme, the influence of women teaching faculties in the form of role models was statistically analysed on 103 attendees out of 140 who answered the survey questionnaire. The sessions were conducted on Zoom platform in the form of lectures of graduate course topics as defined by Dental Council of India. The overall attitudinal shift was then statistically analysed through Chi-square test.

RESULT

Out of 140 students, 103 students responded to the survey questionnaire. Responses of these students were statistically analysed with Chi-square test. The p value <.05 confirmed the hypothesis that presence of role models does have an impact on the choice of specialization.

CONCLUSION

The sample size of this was small and the period of follow-up was short, four months. In order to validate these results, larger cohort and longitudinal studies of long follow-up are needed. In spite of these drawbacks, the results of this study highlight, with the help of the literature, the important role a woman mentor positively plays in career choice and other aspects of women surgeon's professional life.

Factors affecting pre-doctoral dental students' selection of advanced dental education: A cross-sectional study

CONTEXT

Understanding the motivators and obstacles behind pursuing advanced dental education is essential in planning pedagogy, mentorship programs, and curricula that support dental students to achieve their future career goals.

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to investigate factors influencing dental student's choice to pursue a postgraduate specialization at University of New England College of Dental Medicine with a focus on student personality. Factors examined include demographics, religious affiliations, prior education, dental experiences, expected debt, past career choices, beliefs about the process of specialization, and personality types.

METHOD

A total of 232 dental students (91.6% response rate) completed a self-administered questionnaire. About 21.6% of dental students intended to pursue a dental specialty while 38.8% wanted to pursue a nondental Masters' program. Approximately one-third of dental students were interested in practicing as general dentists or pursuing additional training in general dentistry. Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry were the top choices for dental specialization.

RESULTS

Being younger, having a dentist family member, nonwhite ethnicity, and having Extraverted and Sensing personality were found to be significant predictors of dental students' intention to pursue advanced dental education. Having a unique talent or skills, past exposure to dental treatments, family/peer expectations, geographic location of the residency program and its proximity to the family were the most identified factors while considering residency program.

CONCLUSION

Results in this study are consistent with previous literature and bring attention to the importance of understanding students' personality in teaching methodologies, mentorship and determining their future goals. The findings allow dental institutions to better prepare their predoctoral candidate for residency.

A cross-sectional study of confidence in minor surgical skills amongst junior dentists

INTRODUCTION

To work in the National Health Service (NHS) as a dentist, the practitioner needs to be on the UK dental "performer's list". To apply for access to this list and work as a General Dental Practitioner (GDP), dentists must be qualified from the European Economic Area (EEA) or, those trained in the UK, must undertake Dental Foundation Training (DFT). Dentists interested in further taught learning or pursuing specialist training must continue working as "Dental Core Trainees" (DCTs). Most of these jobs are available in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Units and require dentists to undertake unsupervised surgical procedures. It is currently estimated that over 400 "junior dentists" undertake DCT a year. It is the aim of this study to ascertain whether confidence in simple surgical procedures improves when compared to GDPs of similar experience.

METHODS

One hundred and two junior dentists, 34 DFTs, 20 DCT1s, 21 DCT2s and 27 second and third year post-DFT GDPs all working across the Midlands, UK, had Likert scale responses about confidence in 14 minor surgical skills assessed. Results were analysed to ascertain whether gender, year group and number of extractions had any effect on confidence.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that confidence in minor surgical procedures improves significantly when undertaking DCT OMFS posts, with the most significant improvement in confidence occurring within the first 6 months. Dental Core Trainees become significantly more confident in their surgical ability within the first 6 months when compared to GDPs with longer postgraduate experience.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES, TRAINING ATTITUDES AND EXPECTATIONS OF RESIDENTS IN DENTISTRY: A NATIONWIDE SURVEY

BACKGROUND

Worldwide, it has been acknowledged that feedback from students and trainees is important for evaluation of training. However, there is limited data on the professional experiences, expectations and attitude of residents in dentistry to their training.

AIM

This study aimed to analyse the professional experiences, expectations, and attitudes of dentistry residents to training in Nigeria.

DESIGN OF THE STUDY

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

All the accredited Nigerian Teaching Hospitals with dental surgeons undergoing residency training in any of the 10 specialties examined in West Africa.

METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted through a self- administered closed anonymous 46-items questionnaire adapted from that used for general surgery residents in the United States of America. The collected data included various aspects of the technical, human and professional domains of the expectations, attitudes and perceptions of dental residents to their training. Data from the questionnaires were collated and entered into Microsoft Excel version 10, 2002 (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) and processed using STATA software (StataCorp LLC, Texas, USA). Categorical variables were calculated as proportions and percentages with 95% corresponding intervals. χ2 - test was used to analyse the association between selected demographic characteristics and some of the responses. Fischer's exact test was done where necessary. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05 and tests were two- sided.

RESULTS

Nigeria has 11 accredited training institutions for residency in dentistry, of which 214 residents participated representing 93% of the estimated total. Most were males (133, 65.2%) with male to female ratio of 1.9:1. Residents aged between 30-34 years of age made up 41.5% while 77.4% were married. Close to one third (31.8%) were residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Residents expressed low level of satisfaction with the quality of residency training (64, 30.3%; 95% CI 24.5-36.9) and believe that they had appropriate level of operating skill from their training (96, 45.3%; 95% CI 38.6-52.1). Few agreed that the training programme had adequate support structures for struggling residents (64, 30.3%; 95% CI 24.5-36.9) but many (105, 65.2%; 95% CI 57.5-72.2) felt the residency programme took too long. More males (31.8%) than females (14.9%) expressed satisfaction with the level of didactic teaching during the residency programme with statistically significant difference (p=0.032). Orthodontic residents expressed the greatest approval (54.5%) for the support structures put by the training programme for struggling residents, while the least were in oral medicine (12.5%) with high statistically significant difference (p=0.014). The level of support from faculty/departmental member to struggling resident was felt to be most adequate by those who had passed the primaries exam (69.5%) with statistically significant difference from other residents (p= 0.021).

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study showed that Nigerian dentistry residents had low level of satisfaction with the quality of their training indicating the need for a holistic review of the training curriculum and conduct of trainers. There is need to reinforce motivating and tackle demotivating factors identified in this study to improve the response of dentistry residents to their training as these would improve the value of competency assessments undertaken by the postgraduate colleges while sustaining interest in the profession for the interest of the wider society.

The Association between Postgraduate Studies, Gender and Qualifying Dental School for Graduates Qualifying from UK Dental Schools between 2000 and 2009

Various factors will influence a dental graduate's decision to undertake postgraduate education and training, including encouragement from family, partners and staff at individual dental schools, although there is currently little information available regarding the number and distribution (by dental school) of recent dental graduates undertaking postgraduate studies. The aim of this study was to analyse data on postgraduate qualifications achieved by dentists who graduated from UK dental schools between 2000 and 2009 and relate this to graduate gender. Data were collected from the General Dental Council (GDC) in an anonymous electronic format, analysed and ordered by year of graduation, dental school, gender and type of postgraduate qualification. Nearly one-quarter (24%) of the dentists that graduated between 2000 and 2004 completed postgraduate studies, with more females (26%) than males (23%) obtaining further postgraduate qualifications. Overall, Bristol produced the largest proportion of graduates completing postgraduate study (39%) and of these the largest proportion of female graduates (45%). Glasgow produced the largest proportion of male graduates completing postgraduate study (37%). Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS), one of the Royal Colleges, was the most popular postgraduate qualification obtained followed by Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners UK (MFGDP). This study provides insight into postgraduate studies undertaken by UK dental graduates. An increasing proportion of females are gaining Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) qualifications and therefore the number of female dental graduates obtaining postgraduate qualifications is likely to increase further. This also suggests the male domination of the dental profession is likely to decrease.