HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hawley, N. J. Articles by Sandoval, V. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hawley, N. J. Articles by Sandoval, V. A.

Predental Students’ Attitudes Toward and Perceptions of the Dental Profession

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

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

	Abstract

Top Author information Abstract Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion References

 
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 (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.

Applications for positions in dental school increased dramatically during the 1970s, which coincided with the opening of a number of new dental schools supported by a large infusion of funding from the federal government to expand the number of dentists entering the workforce. This period of expanding applications and enrollment in U.S. dental schools peaked in 1980–81, with a subsequent decline until the mid-1990s. Since that time, U.S. dental schools have seen a steady increase in applications. For the dental school class entering in 2005, representing approximately 4,200 positions nationwide, there were over 10,700 applicants, which represented a 13.8 percent increase over the previous year and a 45 percent increase since 2001.² In 2005, females represented 43.8 percent of enrollees, and underrepresented minorities represented over 12 percent of enrollees.² Studies have indicated that the majority of dental students come from high socioeconomic groups or from highly educated families.³

The average dentist in the United States works in private practice more than thirty-two hours a week, earning an average income of $143,310 per year.⁴ Specialists, on average, earn $179,260 per year.¹ More than 80 percent of dentists work as general practitioners, with the remaining approximately 20 percent as specialists.¹

With the recent increase of applicants to dental schools, there is a need to explore the factors influencing the rise. Crossley and Mubarik⁵ reported that dental students were more likely than medical students to attribute their career choice to financial gain, security, and professional status. Scarbecz and Ross^6,7 reported that dental students identified four factors (people, money, flexibility, and business) as draws to the profession, with flexibility and business being the factors that differentiated dentistry from other helping professions. About two-thirds of the dental students they surveyed considered a career as a physician as an alternative to dentistry.⁷

The purpose of our study is to further explore 1) motivations/reasons why students choose to pursue dentistry, 2) perceptions students have about the dental school admissions process, and 3) perceptions students have about their future dental career. Although previous studies have examined these themes, the subjects in those studies were either currently matriculated dental students or students who had applied to dental school. This study will examine the themes from the perspective of predental students, the majority of whom were still enrolled as undergraduates at the time they were surveyed and had not gone through the dental school admissions process. Understanding the perspectives of these students will allow dental school admissions officers and undergraduate advisors to better understand the motives and perceptions of students considering a dental profession at an earlier stage, before they actually apply and matriculate into dental school.

	Methodology

Top Author information Abstract Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion References

 
A total of 155 predental students representing twenty-three universities participated in one of two two-day dental school simulation courses held during May and June 2007. The course was administered and taught by current dental students at an accredited U.S. dental school and included both lecture and hands-on simulation lab components. Participating predental students learned how to manipulate dental wax, take alginate impressions, pour impressions in stone, prepare and restore Class I amalgam and composite restorations, and evaluate dental radiographs. A flyer describing the course was sent to predental societies/clubs and prehealth/predental advisors at universities in several Western states. The first 160 predental students who applied to the course were accepted. The course participants were not necessarily applicants to the host dental school, nor did they necessarily consider the host dental school their preferred dental school; these factors were not associated with admission to the simulation course. All students in the simulation course were invited to participate in our study. There were no exclusion criteria. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Institutional Review Board approved this initiative to ensure participant confidentiality.

The survey administered to the students consisted of a combination of selected-response questions (which respondents ranked on a Likert scale) and close-ended questions ("yes/no" or "check all that apply"). Three themes were addressed in the survey: the student’s 1) decision to pursue dentistry, 2) perception of the application process, and 3) perception of a career in dentistry. Content validity was established by a group of three dental administrators. Stability-reliability was established through test-retest with a convenience sample of nine dental students (r=0.59). Internal reliability was computed using Cronbach’s alpha. The overall reliability co-efficient for the survey was 0.72. The individual reliability coefficients for each section of the survey were as follows: decision to pursue dentistry (r=0.68), perception of the application process (r=0.62), and perception of a dental career (r=0.79).

Participants were asked to complete a four-page paper-and-pencil survey in booklet format. They were given thirty minutes to complete and return the surveys in an enclosed envelope. No identifying information, such as names or emails, was included on the survey instrument.

Descriptive statistics were used to report percentages of respondents on select variables. Chi-square statistics were computed to determine differences between selected demographic variables regarding reasons for pursuing a career in dentistry, the dental school application process, and perceptions of a career in dental medicine. Data reported in this study were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL).

	Results

Top Author information Abstract Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion References

 
A total of 152 of the simulation course attendees participated in the study, with 68.4 percent (n=104) being male and 31.6 percent (n=48) female. More than three-quarters (76.3 percent; n=116) were between ages twenty and twenty-five, while 19.1 percent (n=29) were between twenty-six and thirty. Over 63 percent (n=94) were Caucasian, 27.7 percent (n=41) Asian American, and 5.3 percent (n=8) Hispanic or Latino. Males were more likely than females to be white, while females were more likely to be Asian American (²=24.447; p<.01). More than a quarter of the respondents (28.5 percent; n=43) reported their parents’ income exceeded $150,000 per year, while 33.1 percent (n=50) reported between $50,000 and $74,999 per year. Almost 24 percent (23.8 percent; n=36) indicated they had family members in the dental profession.

Decision to Pursue Dentistry
About half of those surveyed (52 percent; n=79) said that they decided to pursue dentistry while in college, 33.6 percent (n=51) made their decision in high school, and 10.5 percent (n=16) said they always wanted to pursue dentistry. Almost 79 percent (n=114) majored in either the biological or physical (e.g., chemistry) sciences. Table 1 lists the individuals and professionals who most influenced the students’ decisions to pursue dentistry. Respondents with family members in the dental profession were more likely than respondents without family in the dental profession to identify family members as most influential (²=45.604; p<.01). Over 70 percent (n=108) considered other health care professions before deciding on dentistry. Of those who responded, over one-third (38.5 percent; n=42) agreed with the statement "the income potential is what drew me to dentistry," while 87.7 percent (n=114) agreed with the statement "the flexibility in working hours drew me to dentistry."

Perceptions of the Application Process
A majority (72.8 percent; n=110) of the respondents perceived the dental school application process as fair. Nearly all (94 percent; n=125) believed they were competitive applicants and were confident (95 percent; n=113) in their ability to gain admission to dental school. Males were significantly more likely to identify themselves as competitive applicants than were females (²=9.644; p<.01), and 95.3 percent (n=121) said they knew what admissions committees looked for in an applicant. Almost all respondents (99.3 percent; n=146) believed it was important to submit their applications early, with nearly half (46 percent; n=52) believing that high Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores cannot offset low grade point averages (GPAs) and 49.1 percent (n=54) choosing extracurricular activities based on what they perceived would make their resume more competitive. Sixty-two (66.7 percent) said they believed that admissions committees looked for applicants with previously published research; however, seventy-seven (74.8 percent) felt that a lack of research experience would not hurt their chances. Respondents were asked to rank, from most important (rating=1) to least important (rating=10), ten potential factors used by admissions committees to evaluate applicants: DAT score, work experience, total GPA, leadership experience, science GPA, evidence of manual dexterity, personal statement, research experience, service experience, and diversity (Table 2). Students ranked the traditional admissions measures of DAT score (2.62), science GPA (3.12), and total GPA (3.44) as the three most important factors by a substantial margin and ranked diversity (8.10) and research experience (8.29) as the least important factors. No statistical differences between demographic variables were found in the rankings they produced.

Perceptions of a Dental Career
Respondents were asked to identify the area of dentistry they planned to pursue once they entered the profession. Nearly half of the respondents (47.8 percent; n=64) reported plans to pursue general dentistry. Among the specialties, 16.4 percent (n=22) indicated a desire to pursue orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and 7.5 percent (n=10) a desire to pursue oral surgery. No respondents indicated a desire to pursue dental education, dental public health, military dentistry, pathology, or radiology (Table 1).

The respondents also identified the income range they anticipated achieving within five years after graduation (Table 1) and how much educational debt they anticipated having on graduation. Half of the participants (50.7 percent; n=77) anticipated working thirty-five to forty hours a week; 27 percent (n=41) anticipated working thirty to thirty-five hours a week; and 18.4 percent (n=28) anticipated working more than forty hours a week. Nearly half of the respondents (46.7 percent; n=71) anticipated repaying their educational debt in five to ten years after graduation. Nearly all respondents (95.1 percent; n=117) said they planned to work with underserved populations. Over 90 percent (n=106) were interested in being involved in dental education. Although over 90 percent (91.2 percent; n=114) said the business side of dentistry excited them and that they want to be their own boss (96.4 percent; n=132), females were less likely than males to indicate an excitement with the business side of dentistry (²=17.329; p<.01).

	Discussion

Top Author information Abstract Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion References

 
According to this study, the average predental student who applied to and attended the simulation course at this dental school can be described as a white, middle- to upper-class male who decided to pursue dentistry while in college. These findings, with the exception of deciding during college, follow the norm as defined in previously published studies.^2,3

Decision to Pursue Dentistry
Participants in this study were drawn to dentistry for various reasons, including its financial opportunity, its flexibility in work hours, and its business model, all of which are consistent with the literature.^2,6,7 About half also considered medicine, and about one-fifth considered optometry, which demonstrates that although drawn to more than one health-related profession, predental students perceive the advantages of a career in dentistry to outweigh the advantages of other professions. Dentistry is perceived as financially rewarding and family-friendly.⁶

The students identified their family dentist as a major influence in their decision to pursue dentistry, which can be understood as another endorsement of the profession. If those involved in dentistry on a daily basis are the ones who are encouraging students to pursue it, we can only suppose that they are happy with their career decision. If students are looking for more than financial rewards, then the influence of happy, fulfilled professionals can be a positive influence. Another large factor in choosing dentistry was the families of the students. This was especially true if the student had family members in the dental profession.

Perceptions of the Application Process
At the time of the survey, many of the subjects had not begun the dental school application process, so their reported perceptions were likely derived from secondhand sources. Recognizing and understanding these perceptions can help both the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and admissions committees understand the preparation and level of knowledge of upcoming dental school applicants. This could ultimately lead to new and innovative programs that can better educate future dental school applicants and help to refine the process itself.

A majority of the respondents perceived the admissions process as fair and nondiscriminatory, with no significant difference between racial groups or gender. This may explain why the respondents chose the DAT and GPA as the most important factors in evaluating a candidate. Respondents appear to look at these quantitative measures as fair for such a large and multifaceted process. Interestingly, the majority of students (including minority students) placed diversity as one of the last things that admissions committees should factor into the admissions process.

Research shows that admissions committees do place an emphasis on GPA and DAT scores because they have been shown to be good predictors of success in dental school.⁸ Even with this emphasis, committees also look at the noncognitive attributes and extracurricular activities as other ways to evaluate candidates.⁹ The respondents in our study appeared to recognize this since they ranked leadership experience, service experience, and work experience immediately behind DAT scores and GPA in importance. Also, about half of the respondents admitted to choosing extracurricular activities based on what they felt admissions committees were looking for. Apparently, this experience was perceived as bolstering their ability to gain admission to dental school.

Nearly all respondents indicated that they knew what admissions committees were looking for in dental school applicants. Most rated themselves as a competitive applicant and were confident that they would gain admission to dental school, despite the fact that less than 50 percent of applicants successfully matriculate into dental school.³ This study discovered that females were less likely than males to rate themselves as competitive applicants. Further research is needed to determine the factors that contribute to this finding.

Contrary to findings in previous research, the respondents in our study did not select a school’s reputation as an important factor in choosing which dental school to attend.^10,11 In fact, most indicated they believed that all dental schools provided a good predoctoral education, although most had a definite preference of schools. Females were more likely to apply to fewer schools and were also less likely to indicate they would be happy to attend any dental school.

Perceptions of a Dental Career
Respondents anticipated having more educational debt than published figures indicate. Dental students graduate with an average indebtedness of nearly $130,000,² while more than 60 percent of the students in our study anticipated accruing more than $175,000 of educational debt. The respondents may perceive that dental school is expensive, but their lack of experience may cause them to overestimate the costs. On the other hand, with the costs of dental education increasing each year, the average indebtedness of this cohort may very well exceed $175,000. About half anticipated earning between $100,000 and $199,999 per year five years after graduation, which closely follows the reported U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics of about $143,310 per year.¹ Although roughly 30 percent of the students indicated a desire to specialize, only 17 percent thought they would make over $300,000 per year, which corresponds with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report that, on average, a specialist makes about $179,260 per year.¹ This discrepancy can probably be attributed to the fact that students know dentists are financially successful, but are unaware of exact figures.

Research shows that most dentists work more than thirty-two hours a week, and respondents anticipated working at least this much.^1,5 About equal numbers of respondents indicated they planned to open their own practice right out of school as those who indicated they planned to work as an associate, with no significant differences between races or gender. This differs from a previous study that found that female students were much more likely to see themselves as associates five years after graduation.⁷

Limitations and Recommendations for Future Research
Respondents were from twenty-three universities, the majority of which were from the western United States. Therefore, conclusions should be viewed with caution. Although there was no identifying information on the surveys, respondents participated in this simulation course at a dental school where they might apply in the future. Responses might have inadvertently been skewed in an effort to please the hosts.

More research should be conducted to determine the reasons why females appear more likely to apply to fewer schools and be more particular about schools they would attend if accepted. Additionally, further research should be conducted to determine why disproportionately fewer numbers of females and minorities apply and are accepted to dental school.

	Conclusion

Top Author information Abstract Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion References

 
Based on the information gathered in this study, we can conclude that predental students continue to enter the dental profession for many of the same reasons as were identified in previous research. Although the students in our study showed interest in multiple health care fields, their reported perception of dentistry as being high in income potential with flexible hours and family-friendly opportunities may have contributed to the appeal of the profession. The predental students in this sample demonstrated a fairly accurate understanding of the types of information used by admissions committees as described in the literature, but may have an inflated perception of their relative competitiveness as an applicant. Student expectations of educational debt, specialty plans, and earning potential are not consistent with published figures. Otherwise, students demonstrated an accurate perception of a dental career, including the number of hours worked in a week and the private practice model. This information can be useful to admissions committees and dental school recruiters. By understanding the applicant pool and its perceptions, admissions committees can be better equipped to recruit the applicants they desire.

	Author Information

Top Author information Abstract Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion References

 
Mr. Hawley is a Third-Year Dental Student; Dr. Ditmyer is Assistant Professor, Department of Professional Studies; and Dr. Sandoval is Chair, Department of Professional Studies—all at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine. Direct correspondence and requests for reprints to Dr. Marcia Ditmyer, School of Dental Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1001 Shadow Lane, MS 7410, Las Vegas, NV 89031; 702-774-2646 phone; 800-549-8707 fax; marcia.ditmyer{at}unlv.edu.

	REFERENCES

Top Author information Abstract Methodology Results Discussion Conclusion References

 

1. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational outlook, 2008–09 edition: dentists. At: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos072.htm. Accessed: February 19, 2008.
2. Chmar JE, Weaver RG, Ramanna S, Valachovic RW. U.S. dental school applicants and enrollees, 2005 entering class. J Dent Educ 2007; 71(8):1098–123.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
3. Mariño RJ, Morgan MV, Winning T, Thomson WM, Marshall RI, Gotjamanos T, Evans W. Sociodemographic backgrounds and career decisions of Australian and New Zealand dental students. J Dent Educ 2006; 70(2): 169–78.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
4. American Dental Association. Resources for the new dentist. At: www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/dbguide/newdent/considerations.asp. Accessed: October 15, 2007.
5. Crossley ML, Mubarik A. A comparative investigation of dental and medical students’ motivation towards career choice. Br Dent J 2002; 193:471–3.[Medline]
6. Scarbecz M, Ross JA. Gender differences in first-year dental students’ motivation to attend dental school. J Dent Educ 2002; 66(8):952–61.[Abstract]
7. Scarbecz M, Ross JA. The relationship between gender and postgraduate aspirations among first- and fourth-year students at public dental schools: a longitudinal analysis. J Dent Educ 2007; 71(6):797–809.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
8. Ranney RR, Wilson MB, Bennett RB. Evaluation of applicants to predoctoral dental education programs: review of the literature. J Dent Educ 2005; 69(10):1095–106.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
9. Mentasi LE, Thibodeau EA. Nonacademic characteristics of dental school applicants. J Dent Educ 2006; 70(10):1043–50.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
10. Whitehead AW, Novak KF, Close JM. Identification of factors influencing matriculation decisions by dental school applicants. J Dent Educ 2002; 66(1):62–7.[Abstract]
11. Lopez N, Wadenya R, Berthold P. Effective recruitment and retention strategies for underrepresented minority students: perspectives from dental students. J Dent Educ 2003; 67(10):1107–12.[Abstract]

This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hawley, N. J. Articles by Sandoval, V. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hawley, N. J. Articles by Sandoval, V. A.