Nepalese dental hygiene and dental students’ career choice motivation and plans after graduation: a descriptive cross-sectional comparison

Abstract

BackgroundThis is the first study of its kind to provide data regarding the self-reported career choice motivation and intentions after graduation of dental and dental hygiene students in Nepal. The findings of this study can be used to inform future oral health workforce planning in Nepal.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of dentistry and dental hygiene students attending a large accredited dental college in Kathmandu, Nepal. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM® SPSS® 22. The respondents were given the opportunity to provide clarifying comments to some of the questions.ResultsTwo hundred questionnaires were distributed, and 171 students completed the anonymous survey (response rate 86 %). Working in health care and serving the community were the most important initial motives for career choice, with significantly more dentistry students selecting their degree course because of the possibility to work flexible working hours (p < .001) compared to dental hygiene students. A majority of the students expressed concern about finding a suitable job (58 %) after graduation. Almost a quarter (23 %) reported intent to seek a job immediately after graduation, while 46 % plan further studies. Dentistry students were more likely to report planning further studies (p = .007) compared to the dental hygiene students. Dental hygiene students express a higher interest in going abroad (p = .011) following graduation. Only 10 % of all students plan to live or work in rural areas after study. Most common preferred locations to live after graduation are urban (33 %) or abroad (38 %). Data suggest a preference to combine working in a hospital with working in their own practice (44 %) while interest in solely working in their own practice is low (<2 %).ConclusionMany students, though enthusiastic about their profession and expressing the ambition to serve the community, fear unemployment or envision better chances abroad. Most of the students in this study expressed a preference to live in an urban area after graduation. Findings indicate that strong measures are required to incentivise students to consider rural work.

Career Development Plans of Dental Students at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania

“…These results conform to those documented by Clark (2013) and Knevel et al (2015), in their studies among Nepalese students. The results also support perceptions of many students in developing countries that there is a lack of quality education in most of their domestic institutions (Knevel et al, 2015); hence they prefer enrolling for postgraduate programs in Western countries.…”

“…In this study, a majority of Dental students (83%) selected urban areas as their intended place of practice. This finding aligns with those documented in studies of Orenuga and da Costa (2006), Mariño et al (2012) and Knevel et al (2015) among Nigerian, Australian and Nepalese dental students, respectively. The finding in the current study implies that rural Tanzanian dwellers will continue to fall short of essential services that are to be delivered by these prospective health professionals.…”

“…In contrast, a study by Coombs (1978) among American and Swedish students, a strong parental influence on students' career choices was pointed out. Nonetheless, the current finding is comparable to that obtained by Knevel et al (2015) among Nepalese Dental students. It is promising to learn that students' own aspirations play an important role in Dental career choice, as it hints on the possibility of students to remain longer in the Dental profession.…”

“…Results from earlier studies, showed a wide range of viewpoints (Freire et al, 2011;Dhima et al, 2012;Aggarwal et al, 2012;dos Santos et al, 2013;Knevel et al, 2015;Sam, 2015;Sam et al, 2016;Nassar et al, 2016) related to career choices of Dental students. Generally, studies have indicated that Dental students' career choices are geared towards the students' own gains than towards the roles they are needed to play in their societies (Chattopadhyay & Chatterjee, 1991;Brand & Chikte, 1997;Vigild & Schwarz, 2001).…”

“…Several studies have been performed on career development plans of Dental students worldwide (Freire et al, 2011;Dhima et al, 2012;Aggarwal et al, 2012;dos Santos et al, 2013;Knevel et al, 2015;Sam, 2015;Sam et al, 2016;Nassar et al, 2016), such studies are crucial for planning human resource for health (Knevel, Gussy, Farmer, & Karimi, 2015). Results from earlier studies, showed a wide range of viewpoints (Freire et al, 2011;Dhima et al, 2012;Aggarwal et al, 2012;dos Santos et al, 2013;Knevel et al, 2015;Sam, 2015;Sam et al, 2016;Nassar et al, 2016) related to career choices of Dental students.…”