title: The relationship between gender and postgraduate aspirations among first- and fourth-year students at public dental schools: a longitudinal analysis.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences and other predictors of postgraduate plans among U.S. dental students. A national sample of dental students was surveyed in their first and fourth years of dental school. Female first-year students were less likely than male students to express interest in specialization in endodontics and oral surgery. Fourth-year students who had a dental school mentor, a high GPA, and encouragement from significant others were more likely to apply for postgraduate training. Gender and first-year interest in dental specialization did not affect the likelihood of applying for postgraduate training in the fourth year. Female fourth-year students were more likely to predict that they would be an associate in a practice five years following graduation. The results suggest that mentoring and faculty encouragement are important influences on dental students' plans for postgraduate education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health, University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, 875 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38163, USA. mscarbecz@utmem.edu
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scarbecz
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ross
mesh_terms: D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D002321:Career Choice; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D010318:Partnership Practice, Dental; D011331:Private Practice; D012737:Sex Factors; D013039:Specialties, Dental; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires