1Professor, Pediatric Dentistry Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2Pediatric Dentistry Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University, Egypt
3Professor Biostatistics, Dental Public Health Department, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
4Department of Biostatistics, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
*Corresponding author email id: ahussini@hotmail.com
Online published on 16 December, 2014.
The aim of this study was to investigate the reasons for choosing dentistry as a career by Saudi dental students in Jeddah.
A self-completion questionnaire was administered to 390 students. The questionnaire consisted of questions related to students’ socio-demographic status and factors influencing their career choice. Students rated their responses on a 5-point-Likert scale in addition to multiple choice questions. Non-parametric tests, factor analysis and multiple regressions were performed.
Grades in secondary school influenced students’ career decision. Factor analysis revealed six factors behind career decision. “Personal” factor had more influence on female students and those with non-working mothers, “Economy” influenced male students’ decision. Student's gender and having nonworking mother were strongly related to student's decision. Dental career was the first choice for female students and those who decided dental career during secondary school.
Grades have a great role in the career decision of Saudi dental students. Regular working hours, helping others, self-employed, self-influence, serve own gender are reasons behind female students’ decision while reasons of male students are income, prestige and easy to find job. Student's gender and having a non-working mother are strongly related to students’ decision to choose dentistry as a career.
Socioeconomic status, Dental students, Career choice, Female students, Grades, Saudi Students
