Correlates of job choice in dentistry students: decision to choose between achademic position or practicing in the private sector

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
SHADI MOSAVI 1
Shahram Moeeni 2
Maryam Moeeni 3
Sayyed Mohammad Reza Davoodi 4
1 PhD Candidate in Economics, Department of Economics, Dehaghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dehaghan, Iran
2 Assistant professor, Department of Economics, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Department of Management, Dehaghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dehaghan, Iran
10.48305/him.2025.45106.1287
Abstract
Introduction،: Optimal distribution of dentists between the private and the public sectors is necessary to improve citizens' access to dental services. The present study investigated the factors related to the decision of general dentistry students to choose practice in the public or private sector.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey. The population included general dentistry students affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Khorasgan Islamic Azad University in 2021, and the sample included 301 students. Data was collected via a self-completion questionnaire, and analyzed using Logit regression. Significance level was 0.05.

Results: More than 63% of students preferred to practice in private sector. The probability of choosing public practice and academic positions among dentistry students with good grades was higher compering to other students. Age, gender, parents' education, years of study in the field of dentistry, and university of study had no significant relationship with students' career decision.

Conclusion: The decision to practice in the private sector is widespread among different groups of general dentistry students. Policy making is necessary to motivate young dentists to choose public practice and academic position.

Keywords: job choice, dentistry, private sector, public sector, academic position

The main messages of the article:

• A high percentage of general dentistry students preferred to practice in the private sector.

• Students with a higher GPA had probably a greater desire to practice in the public sector and choose academic position.

Keywords

Subjects

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