title: Emerging trends in dental specialty choice in Nigeria.
abstract: Asymmetry in the distribution of dental specialists in Nigeria has the potential to negatively affect dental education at all levels. There is a dearth in Nigerian studies on the trends of influencing factors on the choice of dental specialty in Nigeria. Past efforts have not resulted in policy change thus necessitating the current study. One hundred and twelve (51 male, 61 female) Nigerian dental graduates aged 23-55 years with a mean age of 35.21 ± 8.21 years completed self-administered questionnaires to assess the impact of 16 influencing factors on their choice of dental specialty. The graduation period of respondents, which ranged between 0 and 30 years was recorded into three decades and cross-tabulated against 16 influencing factors to assess their relative impact on specialty choice. Diagnostic challenge, predictable work hours and patient type appeared to have maintained a consistent popularity while affluence and income, although less popular influences three decades ago are becoming increasingly relevant while length of programme, prestige and level of crowding exerted less influence on choice of specialty than other factors. The potential influence of incentives such as career counselling and grants for overseas training to encourage enrollment in less popular programmes was assessed based on recommendations from previous studies. However, these measures appeared to be unpopular among Nigerian dental graduates. Diagnostic challenges and predictable work hours remain popular as influencing factors on choice of dental specialty among Nigerian dental graduates. Affluence and income, although previously unpopular are now gaining popularity among Nigerian dental graduates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria. periodontologist2010@gmail.com
authors.forename: Solomon Olusegun
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Nwhator
authors.forename: Olubukola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Olatosi
authors.forename: Modupe Olufunmilayo
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ashiwaju
authors.forename: Gerald Ikenna
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Isiekwe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003376:Counseling; D003479:Curriculum; D004499:Education, Dental, Graduate; D005260:Female; D005381:Financing, Organized; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009549:Nigeria; D057566:Self Report; D012923:Social Class; D013039:Specialties, Dental / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014146:Training Support; D055815:Young Adult
references.citation: J Am Board Fam Pract. 2003 Nov-Dec;16(6):502-12
references.pmid: 14963077
references.citation: J Health Soc Behav. 1998 Jun;39(2):152-67
references.pmid: 9642905
references.citation: BMC Oral Health. 2009 Dec 23;9:35
references.pmid: 20030814
references.citation: J Family Community Med. 2006 Sep;13(3):119-23
references.pmid: 23012131
references.citation: J Gen Intern Med. 1998 Mar;13(3):200-3
references.pmid: 9541378
references.citation: Can J Surg. 2008 Oct;51(5):371-7
references.pmid: 18841235
references.citation: J Dent Educ. 2008 Jun;72(6):688-97
references.pmid: 18519599
references.citation: Curr Surg. 2003 Mar-Apr;60(2):210-3
references.pmid: 14972298
references.citation: J Am Coll Surg. 2005 Jun;200(6):946-53
references.pmid: 15922210