Post-graduation career pathways: a nationwide survey among dental students in Germany.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
Read More Add to Saved list
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Springer-Verlag Country of Publication: Germany NLM ID: 9707115 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1436-3771 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14326981 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Clin Oral Investig
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Berlin : Springer-Verlag
      Original Publication: Berlin : Springer, c1997-
    • Subject Terms:
      Surgery, Oral*/education ; Orthodontics*; Humans ; Female ; Male ; Students, Dental ; Career Choice ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Germany
    • Abstract:
      Objectives: Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) has to compete with other specialties for the best candidates. With the upcoming change of generations (Z and Alpha) and the movement toward gender parity of dentistry, understanding changing preferences and misconceptions is essential.
      Material and Methods: An online survey was conducted by the German-Association-of-Oral-and-Maxillofacial-Surgery (DGMKG) across German dental schools. The survey collected demographic data, academic background, and career aspirations, with a focus on OMFS. The dental student survey results were compared to a survey given to OMFS Specialists.
      Results: 637 dental students, mainly female (70%), from 30 German universities participated. 27% had defined career aspirations post-graduation, with self-employment and academia being popular choices. 67% were unsure. Specializations leaned towards restorative dentistry (41%), orthodontics (36%), and prosthodontics (31%). While 73% showed interest in surgical practices, 20% were attracted in specializing in OMFS. Of those averse to OMFS, 78% cited long training duration as the deterrent, 12% were put off by perceived unattractive working hours. Other reasons included negative undergraduate experiences, scarcity of part-time positions, and perceived inadequate earnings.
      Conclusion: Accurate data is crucial for career decisions. OMFS societies must proactively share accurate information and guide students. OMFS offers family-friendly hours, and while its training might be longer than dental specialties, it is on par with other surgical professions.
      Clinical Relevance: Dental students consistently regard OMFS as commendable career path. To guarantee sustained OMFS expertise, it is imperative to nurture this interest through dedicated academic mentorship and innovative education, thereby solidifying their professional direction.
      (© 2024. The Author(s).)
    • References:
      J Dent Educ. 2021 Apr;85(4):569-581. (PMID: 33368261)
      J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2019 Dec;18(4):623-627. (PMID: 31624447)
      J Surg Educ. 2015 May-Jun;72(3):438-45. (PMID: 25544332)
      Aesthet Surg J. 2021 Nov 12;41(12):NP2086-NP2093. (PMID: 34245237)
      Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2015 Mar;53(3):295-7. (PMID: 25596796)
      Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 Dec;58(10):1333-1334. (PMID: 32576466)
      Innov Surg Sci. 2017 Aug 03;2(4):239-245. (PMID: 31579757)
      Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Feb;162(2):155-156. (PMID: 31684827)
      J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008 May;66(5):1037-40. (PMID: 18423298)
      J Dent Educ. 2007 Jun;71(6):713-25. (PMID: 17554090)
      J Dent Educ. 2012 May;76(5):562-73. (PMID: 22550102)
      J Dent Educ. 2002 Aug;66(8):952-61. (PMID: 12214843)
      Eur J Dent Educ. 2009 May;13(2):80-6. (PMID: 19368550)
      Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2018 May;56(4):327-331. (PMID: 29628171)
      J Surg Educ. 2020 Mar - Apr;77(2):246-253. (PMID: 31562032)
      Dent Traumatol. 2022 Jun;38(3):185-195. (PMID: 35150461)
      Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2008 Feb;20(1):17-26. (PMID: 18194734)
      Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 Jan;60(1):14-19. (PMID: 34844827)
      Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 Dec;58(10):1235-1239. (PMID: 33248803)
      Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 Dec;58(10):1282-1290. (PMID: 33288289)
      Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 Dec;58(10):1268-1272. (PMID: 32873421)
      Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2018 Sep;22(3):289-296. (PMID: 29797106)
      Clin Geriatr Med. 2018 May;34(2):233-244. (PMID: 29661335)
      Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2008 Feb;20(1):1-9. (PMID: 18194732)
      J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2013 May;71(5):965-73. (PMID: 21820785)
      Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2020 Dec;58(10):1225-1228. (PMID: 32981757)
      J Dent Educ. 2022 Feb;86(2):124-135. (PMID: 34554565)
      Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017 May;55(4):371-377. (PMID: 27914724)
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Career aspirations; Dental students; OMFS; OMFS future; Stereotypes
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20240205 Date Completed: 20240207 Latest Revision: 20240228
    • Publication Date:
      20240228
    • Accession Number:
      PMC10844428
    • Accession Number:
      10.1007/s00784-024-05535-3
    • Accession Number:
      38316644