title: Expectations and perceptions of professional satisfaction in a cohort of Medunsa dental graduates in compulsory community service.
abstract: A study was initiated at Medunsa to track the expectations and perceptions of career satisfaction in a cohort of 2003 dental graduates. This paper reports on the expectations of career satisfaction held by this group shortly before graduating in 2003 from the Dental Faculty at Medunsa as well as perceptions gained from the year of Compulsory Community Service (CCS) during 2004. A previously validated questionnaire, the Dentist Satisfaction Survey (DSS) was self administered to the 2003 (N=43) group of learners. An expanded survey instrument the Dentist Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ) was self administered to the 2004 (N= 33) group of dentists. The 2004 survey included a Quality of Life (QoL) section as well as two visual analogue scales (VAS) that measured overall job satisfaction and dentistry-related stress. The respondents also had the opportunity to make any comments they felt could add value to their responses. Regression analyses were performed on both groups. The best set of predictor variables for overall job satisfaction in the 2003 group were Respect and Stress. Analysis of the data on the 2004 group revealed that Professional Time, Practice Management,
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatological Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus. hmarcelle@ul.ac.za
authors.forename: M J P
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Zwane
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D003149:Community Dentistry; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012575:Schools, Dental; D013019:South Africa; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce