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J Dent Educ. 72(12): 1458-1464 2008
© 2008 American Dental Education Association
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Critical Issues in Dental Education

Predental Students’ Attitudes Toward and Perceptions of the Dental Profession

Nathan J. Hawley, B.A.; Marcia M. Ditmyer, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.S.; Victor A. Sandoval, D.D.S., M.P.H.

Key words: predental students, career expectations, dental school admissions

Submitted for publication 05/15/08; accepted 09/11/08

The purpose of this study was to assess reasons students seek a career in dentistry, their perceptions of the dental school admissions process, and their expectations of the profession. Of 155 predental students participating in a dental school simulation course offered at a Nevada dental school, 152 participated in this study (68.4 percent [n=104] male, and 31.6 percent [n=48] female). When asked when they made the decision to pursue a career in dentistry, 52 percent (n=79) said they decided in college, while 33.6 percent (n=51) made the decision in high school. A slight majority of the respondents (52.6 percent; n=80) identified their family dentist as having the greatest influence in their decision. Nearly half (47.8 percent; n=64) expected to pursue a career in general dentistry, while the next largest subgroup expected to pursue orthodontics (16.4 percent; n=22). A significant majority of the respondents (72.8 percent; n=110) perceived the dental school admissions process to be fair. Males were significantly more likely to identify themselves as competitive applicants than did females ({chi}²=9.644; p<.01). Approximately half (47.4 percent; n=72) anticipate earning between $100,000 and $199,999 within five years after graduation, with 50.7 percent (n=77) anticipating working between thirty-five and forty hours a week. By understanding the applicant pool and their perceptions, admissions committees can better prepare to attract the applicants they desire.






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