Some Motives for Entering Dentistry

Abstract

The importance of five aspects of dentistry in motivating choice of career is assayed with data from 3,578 entering dental students. The relative attractions in dentistry, as compared with other professions, of prestige, money, service, autonomy, and the opportunity to use manual skills are considered. Interviews with a third of the polled group support the conclusions that a patterned balance of these motives, and probably of others not studied, is needed to produce optimum interest in dentistry as a career and that the need for autonomy is central.