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Career Aspiration And Perspective Among Students Pursuing Master Course In A Private Dental College,Chennai.

Authors:
Karunya Ravi at Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research
Karunya Ravi
Pradeep Kumar.R at Saveetha Dental College Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Saveetha University Chennai Tamil Nadu India
Pradeep Kumar.R
  • Saveetha Dental College Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences Saveetha University Chennai Tamil Nadu India
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IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS)
e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861. Volume 13, Issue 1 Ver. II (Jan. 2014), PP 56-58
www.iosrjournals.org
www.iosrjournals.org 56 | Page
Career Aspiration And Perspective Among Students Pursuing
Master Course In A Private Dental College,Chennai.
Karunya Ravi1, Pradeep Kumar2
1(CRRI, Department of Public health dentistry, Saveetha dental college and hospital, India)
2(Reader, Department of Public health dentistry, Saveetha dental college and hospital, India)
Abstract : The main objectives of this study is to assess the reason, interest, future aspiration and perspective
among students pursuing masters in a dental college, Chennai. The present study was done on students pursuing
Masters Degree (MDS) in dentistry in Saveetha Dental College, India, Chennai. The study population consists
of 117 post graduate students, selected using convenience sampling. Students who are interested were included
in the study. Structured questionnaire comprising of 10 questions was formulated in English, which was filled by
the respondents. Data entry and data analysis was carried out. The response rate was 97.50%. 76.06% agreed
doing post graduation is mandatory. In our study, 58.11% of students chose MDS due to their prior interest in
the subject while only 6.83% chose for job security. Oral surgery (29.81%) has been subject of interest for many
before counselling followed by orthodontics (19.60%). 37.10% of the post graduates considered joining a
private dental college after their program. The study concludes that own interest and potential income are the
major reasons for students pursuing master degree.
Keywords: career aspiration, dental post graduates
I. Introduction:
Dentistry has its unique hierarchy in society as professional health care worker but it is still an
emerging field in India.
Increasing awareness about dental education among Indian population has raised their expectation from
the dental practitioners and many patients prefer consulting a specialist, than a under graduate [1].
Increasing trend towards post graduation was observed with seniority among undergraduates [2]. As
only limited seats are available for post graduation in dentistry, the students have to undergo heavy competition
for pursuing their masters. Factors such as social standing and high professional status seem to be inspiring
students to choose their major speciality. Many young graduates try to search other alternatives for career
growth. Some look for overseas, health care management, clinical research and administration services, while
some others quit health care and prefer different field [1].
Various studies have been conducted across the world to study motives for choosing dentistry as career
option. These studies include studies conducted at India [2, 3, 4], Ireland [5], Iran [6], Brazil [7], United
Kingdom [8], Nigeria [9], Peru [10] etc. There are very few studies that investigate the career aspiration and
prospective among post graduate dental students [11, 12].
Hence this study was planned to assess the reason, interest, future aspiration and perspective among
students pursuing masters in a dental college, Chennai.
II. Materials And Methodology:
The present study was done on students pursuing master degree (M.D.S) in saveetha dental college and
hospital. The college has been serving for more than 25 years in dentistry. Students from various states and
countries undergo training in dentistry. Around 150 postgraduates undergo master degree program in this
university. Students who voluntarily participated were included in the study. Before conducting the main survey
a pilot study was done where the questionnaire was ascertained. The study population consisted of 117 students
selected by Convenience sampling method. The Study was conducted after obtaining the ethical clearance from
ethical committee of Saveetha University, Chennai. The time period set for collection of data from the students
participating in this study is for a period of 2 weeks. A structured questionnaire comprising of 10 questions was
formulated in English. The questionnaire was filled by respondents themselves and was supervised by an
investigator. Data entry and data analysis was carried out and only completed filled questionnaire were taken for
analysis.
III. Results:
The study population consisted of 117 students, 61 males and 56 females. Fig. 1 illustrates that 76% of
study participants considered doing post graduation is mandatory.
Career Aspiration And Perspective Among Students Pursuing Master Course In A Private Dental
www.iosrjournals.org 57 | Page
In response for their reasons to undergo post graduation, 58.11% joined on their own interest, followed
by 17.09% preferred academic excellence, 15.6% as a source of potential income and 6.83% felt post graduation
would provide them a secured job (Fig. 2)
Fig. 3 illustrates area of interest of study participants prior to counselling. Majority of students were
interested in oral surgery (29.81%) followed by orthodontics(19.60%), Endodontics , Prosthdontics (12.08%),
Periodontics and Pedodontics (6.80%), Oral medicine (5.12%), Public health dentistry(4.27%) and Oral
pathology(3.41%).
Fig. 4 depicts expectation of post graduates after pursuing master degree. 37.10% considered joining a
academic institution as their front line choice, 30.06% of them fore see private practice to be a better source of
income, 10.05% of them wanted to pursue their higher studies in abroad, 9.89% aspire to join a research
institute, 6.83% preferred other field even after their post graduation.
Fig. 1. View about pursuing Post graduation
Fig. 2. Reasons for joining Post graduation program
Fig. 3. Branch of interest before counselling
Career Aspiration And Perspective Among Students Pursuing Master Course In A Private Dental
www.iosrjournals.org 58 | Page
Fig. 4. Expectation of post graduates after pursuing master degree.
IV. Discussion:
The response rate was 97.50%. Most of study population considered doing post graduation to be
mandatory. In our study, 58.11% chose post graduation due to their prior interest in the subject while only
6.83% chose for job security; where as in study conducted by Gurmukh singh in 2011, 27.1 % chose master
degree for job security [12].
In present study Oral surgery(29.81%) has been subject of interest for many before counselling
followed by orthodontics(19.60%), similar findings was seen in studies conducted by Deepti Agarwal in 2008
and B.K. Garla in 2011 [2, 4].
In the present study 37.10% preferred affiliating to an academic institution and 30.06% considered to
establish a private clinic after their master degree, while 6.83% of students preferred other field than dentistry
even after their post graduation which shows career guidance should be tailored for students during and after
their master degree to shape their future.
V. Conclusion:
The study has investigated and articulated the reasons for students pursuing post graduation which was
mostly due to their self interest and potential income. It has also assessed the future aspirations and career
perspective among students pursuing post graduation in Saveetha dental college and found most of the students
were satisfied with their subject of choice and preferred joining academics and running private clinic after their
course. This study has brought out the changing trends of doing post graduation. Finally, to consider the
limitations of this study is that it is carried out under convenient sampling method and hence, similar type of
studies might be conducted in other colleges to open up new vistas.
Reference:
[1] Hemanth jain and Aparna agarwal, Current scenario and crisis facing dental college graduates in India, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic
Research, 6 (1), 2012, 1-4.
[2] Deepti Agarwal, Vinayak Konkeri, Sunitha S and Reddy CVK, Reasons for choosing dentistry as a career aspiration of dental students in J.S.S
Dental College and hospital, Mysore city, Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry, 11, 2008, 37-40.
[3] Chattopadhayay A and Chatterjee M, Career aspirations of dental students in a dental college in Calcutta, India. Indian Journal of Dental
Research, 2, 1991, 10-12.
[4] Garla BK, Career aspirations and reason for choosing dentistry as career- A survey of dental students in Gandhi dental college and hospital,
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[5] Curtin S, Ray NJ, McKenna G and Burke FM, Supporting career choices in dentistry, Journal of Irish Dental Association, 58(1), 2012, 43-44.
[6] Marzieh vahid Dastjerdi et al, Study motives and career choices of medical and dental students, Acta Medica Iranica, 50(6), 2012, 417-24.
[7] Mario do Carmo matias Frerir et al, Motivation towards career choice of brazilian Freshman students in a fifteen-year period, Journal of
Dental Education, 75 (1), 2011, 115-121.
[8] Davies L, Thomas DR, Sandham SJ, Treasure ET and Chestnutt IG, Factors influencing the career aspirations and preferred modes of working
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[9] Orenuga OO and daCosta OO, A survey of challenges and career aspirations of clinical dental students in Nigerian universities, Nigerian
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... increased and the students have to undergo heavy competition [2], since only limited seats are available for dental post-graduation (PG) courses especially for clinical specialities [3]. In recent studies, oral and maxillofacial surgery has been the most sought out speciality [2]. ...
... increased and the students have to undergo heavy competition [2], since only limited seats are available for dental post-graduation (PG) courses especially for clinical specialities [3]. In recent studies, oral and maxillofacial surgery has been the most sought out speciality [2]. Some graduates also search for alternative career options. ...
... Majority of the participants felt that only under-graduation was not enough for their successful career; that is about 66.6% of participants felt that doing masters is mandatory. This was similar to the study by Vatsul Sharma et al [4], Ravi k et al [2], Amit aggarwal et al [5] but these results were contrary with Manjunath et al [1] where only 17.90% of the students wanted to pursue higher studies. Results of Puryer J et al [7], reported that 48.3% of students expressed uncertainty in their desire to do masters. ...
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