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

Ochiba M Lukandu,Elizabeth O Dimba,Lilian C Koskei

doi:10.1155/2020/1017979

Ochiba M Lukandu, Elizabeth O Dimba + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1017979

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Abstract

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.

Highlights

E purpose of this study was to determine motivations for a career in dentistry among dental students and dental interns in Kenya
Out of a total of 334 potential participants, 293 were available and took part in the study by filling and returning questionnaires, giving a total response rate of 87.7%. e response rate was 88.5% among respondents from University of Nairobi and 85.3% among respondents from Moi University. e lowest response rate was among fifth-year students at University of Nairobi (46.7%) and first-year students from Moi University (56.3%), both of whom were in preparation of examinations at the time of the study. e highest response rates were among third- and fourth-year respondents in both universities. ere were 165 females accounting for 56.3% of the participants
Ere were a higher proportion of participants aged above 26 years among respondents from Moi University (18.7%)

Summary

Introduction

E purpose of this study was to determine motivations for a career in dentistry among dental students and dental interns in Kenya. E purpose of this study was to determine factors that motivate students to choose dentistry as a profession in Kenya. The majority of students at the University of Nairobi (67.7%) had selected dentistry as their preferred choice compared to 45.5% of students at Moi University (Figure 1(c)).

Results

Conclusion