Does exposure to dental education change the perceptions of Nigerian students to dentistry as a profession?
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Date
2008
Authors
Sofola, OO
Uti, OG
Akpene, OO
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Blackwell Munksgaard. European Journal of Dental Education
Abstract
Aim: To assess any effect of exposure to dental education and training on the perception
and acceptance of dentistry by dental students at a Nigerian dental school.
Participants and methods: The study was conducted by means of an anonymous
self-administered questionnaire distributed to second-, fifth- and sixth-year dental
students at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos. Participation was voluntary
and 67 students agreed to participate in the study. Majority (51%) were aged between
24 and 27 years. The questionnaire contained questions on demography, preferred
choice of course on admission, attempts at change of course, their present perception
to dentistry and future dental practice.
Result: Over 90% of them were admitted through the Joint admission and matriculation
board and 40 (60%) chose Medicine as their first course choice. Of the 40, 18
had attempted a change of course and eight were still interested in a career change
(four were in the fifth year). Most of the change in attitude occurred in fourth year.
Sixty (90%) intend to practice dentistry but 38 (63%) of these would like to practice
outside Nigeria.
Conclusion: Exposure to dental training appears to improve students’ perception
about dental practice but uncertainty about future prospects in Nigeria may lead to
brain drain in the dental profession.
Description
Keywords
Dental students, Dental education