Abstract:
OBJECTIVES : This study aimed to investigate the reasons why South
African dentists chose to study Dentistry, later opting for an
academic career.
METHODS : A cross sectional survey using an anonymous 12-point questionnaire
that was sent out to a cohort of dentists and specialists holding
positions at the four South African universities which offer a dental
degree. Descriptive statistics were calculated using STATA Release
14.
RESULTS : Of 160 questionnaires distributed, 66 were completed. Popular
reasons dentists cited for choosing this career were job security,
a desire to help people, the degree is recognised, love working
with their hands, and regular but flexible working hours. The main
reasons the respondents chose an academic career were a need for
intellectual stimulation, desiring a broad spectrum of work, having
a love for teaching, wanting to influence or shape the profession,
to pursue postgraduate studies and to do research. More than half
(55%) of respondents would not choose Dentistry as a career again.
CONCLUSION : This study revealed that the career motivations of this cohort of
SA dentists was far less related to the socioeconomic aspects of
Dentistry than it was to their desire for more mental stimulation, in
contrast to many findings elsewhere.
