Motivations for studying Dentistry: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in nine Cuban universities

  • Ibraín Enrique Corrales-Reyes Universidad de Concepción School of Dentistry Carlos Manuel de Céspedes General University Hospital, Medical University of Granma, Granma, Cuba. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2146-9014
  • Alain Manuel Chaple-Gil Victoria de Girón Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of La Havana, La Habana, Cuba; Faculty of Health Sciences. Universidad Autónoma de Chile. Temuco, Chile. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8571-4429
  • Diana Tusell-Hormigó Faculty of Dentistry, Medical University of Ciego de Ávila, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
  • Leonardo Valdés-Gamboa Manuel de Jesús Cedeño Infante Dental Clinic, Medical University of Granma, Cuba.
  • Héctor Andrés Naranjo-Zaldívar Urselia Díaz Báez Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Holguín, Holguín, Cuba. http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4961-9878
  • Keiler Guerra-García Medical University of Las Tunas, Las Tunas, Cuba.
  • Juan Arturo Berenguer-Gouarnaluses Faculty of Dentistry, Medical University of Santiago de Cuba, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
  • Carla María García-San Juan Medical University of Cienfuegos, Cienfuegos, Cuba.
  • Beatriz Pereira-Fariñas Faculty of Dentistry, Medical University of Villa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba.
  • Olga Lidia Véliz-Concepción Faculty of Dentistry, Medical University of Villa Clara, Villa Clara, Cuba.
  • Lilian Susana Torres-Fernández La Vigía Dental Clinic, Medical University of Camagüey, Camagüey, Cuba.
  • Christian R. Mejia School of Medicine, Universidad Continental, Huancayo, Perú. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5940-7281
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17126/joralres.2021.064

Abstract

Introduction: It is very important to research into the reasons why students choose a career in Dentistry; however, current Cuban studies on this topic are scarce. This study aims to characterize the motivations for studying Dentistry and to identify the associated factors in Cuban students. Material and Methods: A total of 1324 students from nine Cuban universities participated in this cross-sectional, analytic, observational, multicenter and questionnaire-based study. The “Dental Motivation Scale”, a validated test, was used to measure social, altruistic, economic, and prestige motivators. For statistical analysis, frequencies and percentages were described, and generalized linear models were used to establish statistical associations. Results: Sixty six percent of the surveyed students were female and the mean age was 21.2. The students were more motivated to major in Dentistry by their desire to study for constant progress (57%) as well as the possibility of being able to help others (50%). Those who had relatives that were dentists had a lower social/altruistic motivation (studying for constant progress; p=0.004). Family pressure was associated with an increase in economic/prestige motivators: economic security (p=0.001), stable job (p<0.001) and reaching high social status (p<0.001). Conclusion: Students coming from families related to Dentistry were less motivated by social/altruistic aspects. Conversely, those with family pressure had a higher economic/prestige motivation.

Author Biographies

Ibraín Enrique Corrales-Reyes, Universidad de Concepción School of Dentistry Carlos Manuel de Céspedes General University Hospital, Medical University of Granma, Granma, Cuba.
 
Alain Manuel Chaple-Gil, Victoria de Girón Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of La Havana, La Habana, Cuba; Faculty of Health Sciences. Universidad Autónoma de Chile. Temuco, Chile.
 
Héctor Andrés Naranjo-Zaldívar, Urselia Díaz Báez Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Holguín, Holguín, Cuba.
 
Christian R. Mejia, School of Medicine, Universidad Continental, Huancayo, Perú.
 

References

[1]. Gispert EÁ. Abordaje de la salud bucal en Cuba. Odontol Sanmarquina. 2020;23(2):197-202.

[2]. Barciela MC, Grau IB, Urbizo J, Soto LA, Sosa M. Formación de recursos humanos en estomatología, su impacto en la salud bucal de la población. Educ Méd Sup. 2017;31(2).

[3]. Fita S, Alshuraim F, Almulhim A, AlHumaid J, Alhareky M, Nazir M. Possible Future Career Challenges and Associated Factors among Dental Students and Interns. Int J Dent. 2020. 2020(9730125); 1:7. doi.org/10.1155/2020/9730125

[4]. Alrashdan MS, Alazzam M, Alkhader M, Phillips C. Career perspectives of senior dental students from different backgrounds at a single Middle Eastern institution. BMC Med Educ. 2018;18:283.

[5]. Che Musa MF, Bernabé E, Gallagher JE. Students’ motivation to study dentistry in Malaysia: an analysis using confirmatory factor analysis. Human Resources for Health. 2015;13:47.

[6]. Halawany HS, Binassfour AS, AlHassan WK, Alhejaily RA, Al Maflehi N, Jacob V, Abraham NB. Dental specialty, career preferences and their influencing factors among final year dental students in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Dent J. 2017 Jan;29(1):15-23. doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2016.12.001.

[7]. Al-Homaidhi MA. Motivations and career plans of senior dental students at King Saud University, Ryadh, Saudi Arabia. Pakistan Oral Dent J. 2017;37(4):597-600.

[8]. Almalki SA. Influence of Motivation on Academic Performance among Dental College Students. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(8):1374-81.

[9]. Kobale M, Klaić M, Bavrka G, Vodanović M. Motivation and Career Perceptions of Dental Students at the School of Dental Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia. Acta Stomatol Croat. 2016;50(3):207-214.

[10]. Kabil NS, Allam GG, Abdelgeleel OM. Motivational reasons for choosing dentistry as a professional career & factors affecting specialty choice among final year dental students. Future Dent J. 2018;4(2):308-313.

[11]. Avramova N, Yaneva K, Bonev B. First-year dental students’ motivation and attitudes for choosing the dental profession. Acta Med Academ. 2014;43:113-21.

[12]. Yousuf W, Raza SM Kazmi, Quraeshi S, Khan M. Motivation and Future Intentions of Dental Students in Karachi, Pakistan. Pak J Med Res. 2019;58(1):26-30.

[13]. Balcoș C, Vieriu R, Feier R, Olteanu D, Savin C. The reasons for choosing the profession of dentist among the students of the faculty of dental medicine-Iasi, Romania. Med Surg J. 2019;123(3):538-546.

[14]. Lukandu OM, Koskei LC, Dimba EO. Motivations for a Career in Dentistry among Dental Students and Dental Interns in Kenya. Int J Dent. 2020. 2020(1017979); 1:7. doi.org/10.1155/2020/1017979

[15]. Aggarwal A, Mehta S, Gupta D, Sheikh S, Pallagatti S, Singh R, Singla I. Dental students' motivations and perceptions of dental professional career in India. J Dent Educ. 2012 Nov;76(11):1532-9. PMID: 23144490.

[16]. Deumier L, Alliot-Licht B, Bouton-Kelly L, Bonnaud-Antignac A, Michaut C, Quilliot F, Guihard G. Factor analysis of a motivation questionnaire adapted to predoctoral French dental students. J Dent Sci. 2016 Jun;11(2):123-129. doi: 10.1016/j.jds.2015.11.004.

[17]. Shaikh MA, Inglehart MR. Dental and Dental Hygiene Students’ Career Choice Motivations in 2009-17: A Mixed Methods Approach. J Dent Educ. 2018;82(8):848-56.

[18]. Rowland KC, Rieken S. Rethinking Dental School Admission Criteria: Correlation between Pre-Admission Variables and First-Year Performance for Six Classes at One Dental School. J Dent Educ. 2018;82(4):411-16.

[19]. Khalaf ME, Abubakr NH, Alenezi H, Ziada H. The motivation and confidence in choosing dentistry as a career amongst dental students: A mixed-methods study. Eur J Dent Educ. 2022 Feb;26(1):66-75. doi: 10.1111/eje.12673.

[20]. dos Santos BF, Nicolau B, Muller K, Bedos C, Zuanon AC. Brazilian dental students' intentions and motivations towards their professional career. J Dent Educ. 2013 Mar;77(3):337-44. PMID: 23486898.

[21]. Orsini C, Binnie V, Wilson S, Villegas MJ. Learning climate and feedback as predictors of dental students’ self- determined motivation: The mediating role of basic psychological needs satisfaction. Eur J Dent Educ. 2017;00:1-9.

[22]. Orsini CA, Binnie VI, Tricio JA. Motivational profiles and their relationships with basic psychological needs, academic performance, study strategies, self-esteem, and vitality in dental students in Chile. J Educ Eval Health Prof. 2018;15:11.

[23]. Torre PA, Barrios CA, Ortega R, Vega C, Díaz VP, Bravo C. Reasons to study Dentistry in first year students. Salud Uninorte. 2017;33(3):405-418.

[24]. Flores M. Razones para el ingreso a la carrera de Odontología. Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela. Rev Odontol Andes. 2010;5(1):23-30.

[25]. Haslach SD, Aytepe Z, Kokkari A, Azrak B, Ehlers V, Herz MM, Jerg-Bretzke L, Geibel MA. Country and gender differences in the motivation of dental students-An international comparison. Eur J Dent Educ. 2018 Nov;22(4):e724-e729. doi: 10.1111/eje.12386.

[26]. Du J, Jain S, Montalli V, Govender U. Dental Students’ Motivations for Their Career Choice: An International Investigative Report. J Dent Educ. 2014;78(4):605-13.

[27]. De la Mella SF, Mirabal JM, Contreras JM. Factores motivacionales que influyeron en estudiantes de primer año para elegir la carrera de Estomatología. EDUMECENTRO. 2012;4(3):188-197.

[28]. Núñez B, Peguero H. Diagnóstico de la motivación hacia el estudio en jóvenes de la carrera de estomatología. Educ Med Super. 2010;24(2).

[29]. Corrales-Reyes IE, Naranjo-Zaldívar HA, Ruiz PG, Carranza RF, Mamani-Benito O, Mejia CR. Validación de una escala para evaluar las motivaciones para estudiar Estomatología (MEEC-7) en Cuba. Reducción de una escala latinoamericana previa. Rev Cubana Inv Biomed. 2021;40(1):e670.

[30]. Matas A, Matas A. Diseño del formato de escalas tipo Likert: un estado de la cuestión. Rev Electrón Inv Educ. 2018;20(1):38-47.

[31]. Flores M, Góngora JJ, López MV, Eraña IE. ¿Por qué convertirse en médico? la motivación de los estudiantes para elegir medicina como carrera profesional. Educ Med. 2020;21(1):45-48.

[32]. Humlum M, Kleinjans K, Nielsen H. An economic analysis of identity and career choice. Economic Inquiry. 2012;50:39-61.

[33]. Torres-Roman JS, Cruz-Avila Y, Suarez-Osorio K, Arce-Huamaní MÁ, Menez-Sanchez A, Aveiro-Róbalo TR, Mejia CR, Ruiz EF. Motivation towards medical career choice and academic performance in Latin American medical students: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One. 2018 Oct 18;13(10):e0205674. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205674.

[34]. Troncoso C, Garay B, Sanhueza P. Percepción de las motivaciones en el ingreso a una carrera del área de la salud. Horiz Med. 2016;16(1):55-61.
Published
2021-10-31
How to Cite
CORRALES-REYES, Ibraín Enrique et al. Motivations for studying Dentistry: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in nine Cuban universities. Journal of Oral Research, [S.l.], v. 10, n. 5, p. 1-11, oct. 2021. ISSN 0719-2479. Available at: <https://www.joralres.com/index.php/JOralRes/article/view/joralres.2021.064>. Date accessed: 20 apr. 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.17126/joralres.2021.064.
Citation Formats
Issue
Vol 10 No 5 (2021)
Section
Articles

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. © 2024.