title: Predental students' attitudes toward and perceptions of the dental profession.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess reasons students seek a career in dentistry, their perceptions of the dental school admissions process, and their expectations of the profession. Of 155 predental students participating in a dental school simulation course offered at a Nevada dental school, 152 participated in this study (68.4 percent [n=104] male, and 31.6 percent [n=48] female). When asked when they made the decision to pursue a career in dentistry, 52 percent (n=79) said they decided in college, while 33.6 percent (n=51) made the decision in high school. A slight majority of the respondents (52.6 percent; n=80) identified their family dentist as having the greatest influence in their decision. Nearly half (47.8 percent; n=64) expected to pursue a career in general dentistry, while the next largest subgroup expected to pursue orthodontics (16.4 percent; n=22). A significant majority of the respondents (72.8 percent; n=110) perceived the dental school admissions process to be fair. Males were significantly more likely to identify themselves as competitive applicants than did females (chi(2)=9.644; p<.01). Approximately half (47.4 percent; n=72) anticipate earning between $100,000 and $199,999 within five years after graduation, with 50.7 percent (n=77) anticipating working between thirty-five and forty hours a week. By understanding the applicant pool and their perceptions, admissions committees can better prepare to attract the applicants they desire.
authors.affiliation: School of Dental Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1001 Shadow Lane, MS 7410, Las Vegas, NV 89031, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Hawley
authors.forename: Marcia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ditmyer
authors.forename: Victor A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Sandoval
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D002321:Career Choice; D003813:Dentistry; D004515:Education, Predental; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D024382:Professional Role; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012923:Social Class; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult