Is there a common pattern of dental specialties in the world? Orthodontics, the constant element.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of studies comparing the status of dental specialties worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the differences and similarities between the number and types of dental specialties in 31 countries, including every continent, in the world. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Available official documents and webpages from regulatory bodies, official colleges and councils, and dental institutions were collected from 31 countries and analyzed to obtain reliable data on dental specialties. Differences were analyzed using the Lorentz curve and Gini test. Additionally, a cluster analysis was performed to obtain groups of countries with similar patterns in the number and types of dental specialties. RESULTS: A total of 32 different specialties were officially recognized among all the analyzed countries. Orthodontics and oral surgery (100% and 93.1%, respectively) were the two most frequently officially recognized dental specialties worldwide. The total global degree of inequality in the 31 analyzed countries was 42.4%. The Anglo-Saxon countries showed the greatest similarity, approximately 15-fold higher than the European countries. Cluster analysis differentiated six main groups of countries according to the number and types of dental specialties. European countries formed one of the two largest clusters, and the other cluster was of Anglo-Saxon, Asian, African, and several Eastern European countries with a high number of specialties. CONCLUSIONS: Officially recognized dental specialties in the different continents and countries show an asymmetric organization. The number, names, and skills of officially recognized dental specialties exhibited significant differences, showing inequalities in their organization. The Anglo-Saxon pattern of dental specialties showed greater equality than the European pattern. Orthodontics was the only constant element among the different patterns.

Variation in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at US dental school clinics.

PURPOSE: Although the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was the same at different US dental schools, the response wasn't. There is no study that documents the variation in mitigation strategies, COVID-19 transmission, and clinical educational changes at US Dental schools during the ongoing pandemic that began in 2020 in the US. METHODS: The current study was approved as exempt research (project number HUM00199261). Our survey of Associate Dean's of Clinical Operations was individually emailed in July 2021. There were no reminders and descriptive statistics were calculated using Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: We received 46 completed surveys from the 68 sent out. Note that 65.2% of respondents reported requiring N95 masks for aerosol-generating procedures. Note that 38.9% of respondents said they required student partnering as chairside dental assistants for aerosol-generating procedures. Note that 37.7% of respondents began using alternate cubicles. A total of 6.52% of schools reported a transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus from patient to provider. There were no reported transmissions from provider to patient or from patient to patient. CONCLUSION: In our study, we found a lot of similarities between the approach taken by Dental School Clinics across the US to mitigate the risks of COVID-19, however, we also observed many differences.

Differences in the Ratios of General and Dental Specialists in Europe.

BACKGROUND: The European Economic Area (EEA) is composed of member states with a multitude of different regions. This study aimed to analyse the ratios of general dentists and dental specialists to the total population and the proportion of dental specialists to general dentists in 24 European countries and to explore specific intranational differences within 2 countries: France and Germany. METHODS: Available official documents and webpages from the United Kingdom and 23 of the 30 countries comprising the EEA were analysed. Data were expressed as absolute values, ratios of general dentists and dental specialists in the total of population, and percentages of dental specialists/dentists. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to clarify the main ratios that distinguish France from Germany, and cluster analysis was employed to determine similar areas. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between countries, with Ireland and Austria having the lowest ratio of dentists and Romania and Greece having the highest. The Czech Republic, the Netherlands, France, and Denmark had the lowest ratios of dental specialists to the total population. Lithuania, Sweden, and Germany had the highest number of dental specialists. Orthodontists were the most numerous specialists (5.0% of dentists), followed by oral surgeons (2.7%). In France, differences between departments were pronounced and associated with the presence of dental schools and per capita income. In Germany, only the correlation between per capita income and the density of oral surgeons was significant. CONCLUSIONS: Diverse ratios of general dentists and dental specialists to the total population and the proportion of dental specialists to general dentists were discovered within the examined countries, and their maximum values were 2.5, 5.7, and 4.1 times the minimum values, respectively. Differences were even found within the same country, as was the case in France and, to a lesser extent, in Germany.

Câncer de boca no Estado do Rio de Janeiro: cuidado e rede de atenção a partir do Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) / Oral cancer in the state of Rio de Janeiro: care and care network from the Dental Specialties Center (DSC)

O câncer (CA) de boca representa um problema de saúde pública a nível mundial, com altas taxas de morbimortalidade. A desvalorização das lesões iniciais pelo profissional, somada à incapacidade técnica de reconhecimento dessas lesões, a demora do atendimento, erros no diagnóstico inicial, assim como a ausência de campanhas sobre a doença e seus fatores de risco, são fatores que diminuem as chances de diagnóstico do CA de boca em seus estágios iniciais. Para realização do diagnóstico precoce das lesões potencialmente malignas ou suspeitas de malignidade, é fundamental contar com uma rede de atenção à saúde estruturada e organizada, com profissionais capacitados para identificar as lesões em estágio inicial e realizar a biópsia para fins diagnósticos e posterior análise em laboratório que possua profissional especializado em anatomia patológica. O presente estudo teve como objetivo discutir o papel e desempenho dos Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEOs) em relação ao procedimento de coleta de biópsia de tecidos moles da boca no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, com finalidade diagnóstica, considerando seu papel na oferta deste procedimento. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva e exploratória acerca do papel e desempenho dos CEOs com foco na oferta do exame de diagnóstico do CA de boca por estes centros, no período de 2017 a 2019. Os resultados apontam que os CEOs possuem um papel central para o diagnóstico do câncer de boca, mas aquém do que potencialmente poderia ofertar já que não houve produção de biópsias em 47 (57%) dos 82 CEOs existentes, no período analisado. Um dos limites do trabalho foi a incapacidade de avaliação dos sistemas de apoio, assim como a contribuição dos serviços de saúde das universidades para as análises desses exames devido a insuficiência de dados públicos sobre os exames anatomopatológicos específicos para o câncer de boca. Tais resultados buscam fornecer subsídios para que os gestores de saúde possam otimizar o fluxo dos usuários através da organização e do fácil acesso à rede, identificando e solucionando dificuldades enfrentadas por estes centros para a realização destes procedimentos, reduzindo atrasos na investigação diagnóstica e no tratamento desta patologia. (AU)

Mouth cancer (CA) represents a public health problem worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates. The devaluation of initial injuries by the professional, combined with the technical inability to recognize these injuries, as well as the delay in public assistance, errors in the initial diagnosis, as well as the lack of campaigns about the disease and its risk factors, are factors that reduce the chances diagnosis of oral CA in its initial stages. To carry out early diagnosis of potentially malignant and suspected malignant lesions, it is essential to have a structured and organized health care network, with professionals trained to identify lesions at an early stage and perform biopsy for diagnostic purposes and subsequent analysis in the laboratory. that has a professional specialized in pathological anatomy. In this sense, the present study aimed to discuss the role and performance of Dental Specialty Centers (CEOs) in relation to the procedure for collecting soft tissue biopsies from the mouth in the State of Rio de Janeiro, with diagnostic purposes, considering their role in offering this procedure. The study is a descriptive and exploratory research on the role and performance of CEOs with a focus on offering diagnostic examinations for oral CA by these centers, from 2017 to 2019. The results indicate that CEOs have a central role in the diagnosis of oral cancer, but below what they could potentially offer as there was no production of biopsies in 47 CEOs (57%) of the 82 existing CEOs in the period analyzed. One of the limits of the work was the inability to evaluate support systems, as well as the contribution of university health services to the analysis of these exams due to insufficient public data on specific anatomopathological exams for oral cancer. Such results seek to provide support so that health managers can optimize the flow of users through the organization and easy access to the network, identifying and resolving difficulties faced by these centers in carrying out these procedures, reducing delays in diagnostic investigation and treatment of this condition. (AU)

Regulation of dental consultations in primary health care and performance of services in dental speciality centers.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the regulation of dental specialty centers (CEOs) coordinated exclusively by Primary Health Care (PHC) in four primary outcomes: access and dental consultation, reception services, bonding and responsibility, and social participation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out using secondary data from the National Program for the Improvement of Access and Quality of Dental Specialty Centers (PMAQ-CEO): second cycle, using multilevel logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and individual covariates. RESULTS: The analytical sample consisted of 9,599 CEO users who had completed all the variables analyzed. Of these, 63.5% were referred to the CEO by PHC. Dental care regulated by PHC was related to better access (OR 1.36, CI 95% 1.10-1.68), better reception (OR 1.33, CI 95% 1.03-1.71), better bonding and responsibility (OR 1.36, CI 95% 0.91-2.04), and social participation (OR 1.13, CI 95% 0.93-1.35) compared to those not regulated by primary health care as the exclusive pathway. CONCLUSION: The regulation of access to the CEO coordinated by PHC presented the best performance. It is suggested that this form of PHC regulation, as a route for dental specialty centers, can be established in the national oral health care policy for better service performance.

INEQUITIES IN SECONDARY CARE IN ORAL HEALTH FOR SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS IN BRAZIL / INIQUIDADES NA ATENÇÃO SECUNDÁRIA EM SAÚDE BUCAL PARA PACIENTES COM NECESSIDADES ESPECIAIS NO BRASIL

This study examined individual and contextual factors that impact the attainment of objectives set by the Ministry of Health for Special Needs Patients Dentistry (OPNE) in Brazilian Centers for Dental Specialties (CEO). Secondary data from DATASUS and the CEO Access and Quality Improvement Program (PMAQ-CEO) were utilized, encompassing 1013 facilities. Statistical analysis employed Poisson regression and multilevel analysis, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The findings revealed that CEOs, on average, achieved goals for basic OPNE procedures for six months each year. The Municipal Human Development Index (IDHM) and CEO type exerted an influence on goal attainment, with CEO types II and III displaying a greater likelihood of achieving the goals. The Southeast and South regions exhibited lower chances of achieving the objectives. The scarcity of specialized professionals remains a challenge in the treatment of patients with special needs. In conclusion, in Brazil, CEO type and IDHM are associated with improved CEO performance in attaining goals for the OPNE specialty.

Este estudo analisou variáveis individuais e contextuais que influenciam o cumprimento de metas estabelecidas pelo Ministério da Saúde para a Odontologia para Pacientes com Necessidades Especiais (OPNE) em Centros de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) brasileiros. Foram utilizados dados secundários do DATASUS e do Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade dos CEO (PMAQ-CEO), referentes a 1013 estabelecimentos. Realizou-se regressão de Poisson e análise multinível, com intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. Os resultados indicaram que os CEO alcançaram as metas para procedimentos básicos em OPNE em média seis meses por ano. O Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano Municipal (IDHM) e o tipo de CEO influenciaram o cumprimento das metas, com os CEO tipo II e III tendo mais chances de atingi-las. A escassez de profissionais especialistas ainda é um desafio para o atendimento aos pacientes com necessidades especiais. Conclui-se que, no Brasil, o tipo de CEO e o IDHM estão relacionados ao melhor desempenho dos CEO no cumprimento das metas para a especialidade de OPNE.

European inequalities and similarities in officially recognized dental specialties.

BACKGROUND: Although the European Economic Space usually acts in a united and organized way, several main differences are found regarding the type and number of dental specialties all around this group of member states. The aim of the study is to analyse the inequalities and similarities existing between 21 European countries, highlighting the number and types of recognized dental specialties. METHODS: Available official documents and webpages from 20 out of the 30 countries of which the European Economic Space is comprised plus the United Kingdom (UK), were analysed to obtain reliable data referred to dental specialties. Differences were tested with the Lorentz curve and Gini test. Additionally, a Cluster analysis was performed to obtain groups of countries with a similar pattern in the number and type of dental specialties. RESULTS: Up to a total of 15 different specialties are officially recognized in all the analysed countries. Orthodontics (90%) and Oral Surgery (81%) are the two most frequently recognized specialties. The total global degree of inequality of the analysed countries was 40.2%. Cluster analysis differentiated three different main groups of countries according to the number and type of dental specialties. CONCLUSIONS: The situation of dental specialties in the area of the EES plus the UK exhibits an unequal organization. Cluster analysis showed 3 main clusters of countries with a similar pattern of dental specialties.

The use of artificial intelligence and game-based learning in removable partial denture design: A comparative study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare student performance in removable partial denture (RPD) design during a pre-clinical RPD course with and without using a recently developed computer software named AiDental. Additionally, student perceptions associated with the use of this software were assessed. METHODS: The AiDental software consists of a learning environment containing an RPD design system that automatically designs RPDs based on the user's input. The software also contains an RPD game component that compares the user's RPD Design to an automatically generated RPD ideal design. The study was conducted in two phases. In phase one, pre-clinical second-year dental students who participated in the study were randomly divided into two groups: The AiDental group with AiDental software access (n = 36), and the conventional group without software access (n = 37). Both groups received conventional RPD instruction and practice, however, the AiDental group had additional access to the AiDental software. After 2 weeks, both groups took a mock practical test, which was collected and graded by the principal investigator (PI). The PI was blinded from group assignment and no identifying information was used in the mock practical. In phase two, all students were granted access to the AiDental software for the remainder of the pre-clinical course duration. At the conclusion of the course, all students were given a survey to evaluate their perceptions of the AiDental software. Descriptive statistics were calculated and analyzed. Variables related to perceptions of both the AiDental designer and game were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation test, the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test as appropriate. In addition, a thematic analysis of the responses to the optional comments section was conducted using the Braun and Clarke method. RESULTS: Phase one results showed that subjects in the AiDental group were more likely than subjects in the conventional group to receive a final grade of A or B. Phase two results showed generally favorable student perceptions towards the software, and additionally, the results showed that age was significantly negatively correlated with ease of use of the software, improving decision-making, and critical thinking relative to RPD design choices. However, no correlation between age and using the software as a reference were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The use of AiDental's automated feedback and gamification techniques in RPD education had a positive effect on student grades and it was well-liked by students. Thus, the results suggest that AiDental has the potential to be a useful adjunct to pre-clinical teaching.

Oral maxillofacial surgery resident, faculty and practitioner role models and dental students' interest in oral maxillofacial surgery careers: Does gender matter?

PURPOSE: Residency programs in oral maxillofacial surgery (OMS) have the lowest percentage (2020: 18.4%) of female graduates among all dental specialty programs. When considering this underrepresentation of female OMS residents, prior studies have not examined how OMS role models might shape dental students' interest in OMS careers. The objectives were to assess female versus male students' OMS-related career motivation, their experiences/attitudes toward three groups of OMS role models (i.e., OMS residents, faculty, and practitioners), and relationships between role model-related experiences/attitudes and career motivation. METHODS: 363 female and 335 male students from 14 United States and two Canadian dental schools participated in this cross-sectional study by responding to an online survey. RESULTS: 13.8% of female and 26% of male respondents (p < 0.001) were much/very much interested in OMS careers. More male than female students had shadowed an OMS in an office setting (43.4% vs. 35.1%; p < 0.05). The groups did not differ in their motivation to learn more and earlier about OMS nor in the quantity of OMS-related experiences prior to and during dental school. However, male students were more satisfied with the quality of these experiences (5-point scale with 5 = most positive: Means: 3.76 vs. 3.53; p < 0.05), were more comfortable approaching/working with OMS instructors (3.51 vs. 3.19; p < 0.01) and reported to have learned more from residents (3.52 vs. 3.31; p < 0.05) and faculty (3.75 vs. 3.45; p < 0.01) than female students. Female students agreed less that OMS residents, faculty, and practitioners encouraged students to pursue OMS (3.27 vs. 3.44; p < 0.01 / 3.46 vs. 3.63; p < 0.01 / 3.45 vs. 3.61; p < 0.01). Role model-related experiences and attitudes correlated with an interest in an OMS career. CONCLUSIONS: The two groups do not differ in the quantity of most OMS experiences before and during dental school and their motivation to learn more and earlier about OMS. However, female students' less positive OMS-related educational experiences and less positive attitudes toward role models correlate with a lower interest in OMS careers.

The reporting of pilot and feasibility studies in the top dental specialty journals is suboptimal.

BACKGROUND: Pilot and feasibility studies (PAFS) are smaller investigations seeking to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger more definitive study. In late 2016, the CONSORT statement was extended to disseminate good practices for reporting of randomized pilot and feasibility trials. In this quality assurance review, we assessed whether PAFS in the top dental speciality journals adhere to good practices of conduct and reporting, by prioritizing assessment of feasibility and stating pre-defined progression criteria to inform the decision to pursue funding for a larger trial. METHODS: With the help of a librarian, we searched MEDLINE and EMBASE from 2017 to 2020, inclusive, for PAFS in the top 3 journals from each of the 10 dental specialties. We collected data on methodological and general characteristics of the studies, their objectives, and reporting of items recommended in the CONSORT extension. RESULTS: Of the 111 trials included, 51.4% (95% CI 41.7-61.0%) stated some indication of intent to assess feasibility while zero reported progression criteria; 74.8% (95% CI 65.6-82.5%) of trials used the terms "pilot" or "feasibility" in their titles and 82.9% (95% CI 74.6-89.4%) of studies stated there is a need for a future trial, but only 9.0% (95% CI 4.4-15.9%) stated intent to proceed to one. Most of the studies, 53.2% (95% CI 43.4-62.7%), reported hypothesis testing without cautioning readers on the generalizability of the results. Studies that used the terms "pilot" or "feasibility" in their title were less likely to have feasibility objectives, compared to trials that did not, with an odds ratio (OR) of 0.310 (95% CI 0.103-0.930; p = 0.037). Compared to trials that did not conduct hypothesis testing, trials that conducted hypothesis testing were significantly less likely to assess feasibility, among them, trials that cautioned readers on the generalizability of their results had an OR of 0.038 (95% CI 0.005-0.264; p < 0.001) and trials that did not caution readers on the generalizability of their results had an OR of 0.043 (95% CI 0.008-0.238; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Many PAFS in dentistry are not conducted with the intent of assessing feasibility, nor do they state progression criteria, and few report intent to proceed to a future trial. Misconceptions about PAFS can lead to them being poorly conducted and reported, which has economic and ethical implications. Research ethics boards, funding agencies, and journals need to raise their standards for the conduct and reporting of PAFS, and resources should be developed to address misconceptions and help guide researchers on the best practices for their conduct and reporting.

What do dental students expect from oral and maxillofacial surgery externships?

INTRODUCTION: Limited information exists on the goals and expectations of dental students from oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) externships. This information is valuable to OMS residency programs. Dental students use externships to gain insight into various OMS residency programs.  The purpose of this project was to answer the following question: "what do dental students expect from OMS externships?" PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the expectations of dental students from OMS externships. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study took place from June 2015 to September 2019. Every student completing an Emory OMS externship completed an anonymous survey. The survey consisted of questions regarding (1) demographics, (2) previous OMS experience, and (3) open-ended questions regarding expectations and sources of anxiety. Answers were grouped into categories with similar answers. Descriptive statistics summarized data. RESULTS: Of 116 externs who completed the survey, the majority were males (n = 80, 68.9%) with a mean age of 25 (range 21-30) years old in the 3rd/4th year of dental school. Most had previous OMS experience (n = 103, 89.6%) and plan to apply to OMS residency (n = 104, 90.4%). Most externs hoped to learn about life as a resident and the scope and culture of the program. Externs expressed the highest level of anxiety regarding their own experience and/or knowledge level. CONCLUSIONS: This project demonstrated that during the externship, externs expect to gain insight into the daily activities, scope, and culture of the OMS program they are visiting.

Factors affecting specialty choice of postgraduate dental residents in Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that influence the choice of specialty of dentistry postgraduate residents in an urban setting. METHODS: The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from April to May 2020 at health centres approved for the Fellowship of the College of Physicians and Surgeons training in Karachi, and comprised dental postgraduate residents. Data was collected using a questionnaire distributed using Google Forms. Residents were asked to rate factors that influenced their decision to join their clinical specialty on a 3-point Likert scale. Items were based on the basis of anticipated clinical experiences, specialty-specific factors, personal preferences, and possible constraints. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 51 subjects, 39(76.5%) were females and 12(23.5%) were males. The overall mean age was 27.7±2.17 years. Besides, 27(52.9%) subjects were from public-sector centres and 24(47.1%) from private-sector centres. Of all the residents, 44(86.3%) chose their specialty because of inclination to treat complex cases, while 43(84.3%) were interested because of the broad range of cases, and 39(76.5%) made their choice because of the reputation of the respective supervisors and institutions. Also, 43(84.3%) residents did not consider the expiry of their fellowship part one exam deadline, or unavailability of a training slot as a specific reason to select a specialty. Compared to males, significantly more females opted for a specialty if it eventually provided career opportunity as faculty (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Factors that greatly influenced the residents' choice for postgraduate training specialty were related to anticipated clinical experiences.

Life Satisfaction of US-trained Dental Specialists in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: A large number of residents in US advanced specialty education programmes are foreign-trained dentists. When faced with the career dilemma of applying for US residency training, foreign-trained dentists may wonder whether it is worth proceeding along that path. In addiditon, studies capturing benefits from receiving US residency training are rare. Therefore, this study compared the life satisfaction amongst 3 dentist groups in Taiwan (ie, US-trained specialists, Taiwan-trained specialists, and general dentists). METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were distributed to dentists currently residing in Taiwan. Participants were surveyed about demographic information, career-related information, and life satisfaction. Life satisfaction was measured with a structured Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Nonparametric bivariate analyses and multivariable adjusted generalised linear model (GLM) were used to examine the differences between mean SWLS scores and examined variables. We included 134 US-trained specialists, 134 Taiwan-trained specialists, and 134 general dentists matched for age, sex, and marital status. RESULTS: With the mean age of 51.4 ± 10.8 years old, specialists had significantly higher mean life satisfaction scores than general dentists. US-trained specialists had significantly higher mean life satisfaction scores than Taiwan-trained specialists when health and family relationships were not considered. Career-rated factors (eg, spending more clinical hours with patients, having more expenses related to continuing education, publishing more peer-reviewed articles, and being a frequent speaker) were not associated with better life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: US-trained specialists were more likely to be satisfied with their lives than Taiwan-trained specialists and general dentists. However, health and social relationships contribute more to dentists' life satisfaction than do career-rated factors.

General Dentists' Perceptions About Their Relationship With Specialists.

INTRODUCTION: This paper assesses the nature of the general dentist-specialist relationship, as perceived by general dentists in Canada. METHODS: A cross-sectional web-based survey was administered to general dentists across Canada who are part of the Canadian Dental Association register and who have consented to receiving email surveys (N ≈ 11,300). Information including sociodemographic and practitioner- and practice-related factors was collected using a 47-item questionnaire. The general dentist-specialist relationship was conceptualised on the basis of 4 factors: communication, confidence, competition, and referrals. Descriptive analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The response rate for the survey was 11.7% (n = 1328). Most general dentists specified that specialists sent timely information/reports (93%), were partners in delivering care (64%), presented little competitive pressure (87%), and were strongly collegial (85%). CONCLUSIONS: In general, the study demonstrated that Canadian general dentists held a positive perception of their relationship with the specialists.

Motivations, attitudes for choosing dental profession and preferred dental specialties amongst Turkish dental students.

AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate the influential factors for choosing dentistry, their thoughts about the profession, their expectations for the future and their thoughts about the specialisation of dental students from all grades in the School of Dentistry, Marmara University. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Socio-demographic information, influential factors the choice of profession, thoughts and expectations about dentistry, and thoughts about the specialisation were evaluated in the questionnaire that included different question types in four separate sections. Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between categorical variables, and multiple linear regression was performed to examine the combined effects of variables that influence the always dream of becoming a dentist. RESULTS: 462 of the 471 participants from all grades who agreed to participate in the study completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 98.1%. It was seen that the students' clinical experience made differences in almost half of their motivational sources for choosing dentistry and their views on future opinions and expectations (p < .05). In addition to clinical experience, gender also made a statistically significant differences in almost all answers in the students' opinions about specialisation (p < .05). CONCLUSION: From the results of the study, the majority of Turkish dental students were self-motivated compared to familial and environmental factors for choosing dentistry as a career. The career motivations of them seemed to be associated with the socioeconomic aspects of dentistry, whereas the perceptions regarding the future of dentistry seemed to be associated with the need for postgraduate education.