Utilisation of Undergraduate Career Pathways in Dentistry - Fiji Islands

Title: Undergraduate Career Pathways in Dentistry 1993-2009 in Fiji. Objective: To determine the extent to which the career pathway model offered by the Multi-entry/Multi-exit Bachelors in Dental Surgery (BDS) program had been utilized in Fiji and by the other Pacific Island Countries. Methods: Since 1993, Oral Health professionals in the South Pacific region have had the opportunity to further their education and gain qualifications allowing them to increase their scope of practice and progress in their careers. This study looks at enrolment and graduation data available at the Fiji School of Medicine Academic Office and identifies groups that have effectively utilised the available pathways and the resultant effect on the Human resources for Oral Health in the South Pacific region. Results: The University of The South Pacific have been awarding the Bachelors degree to 11 – 19 students annually. These are predominantly Fijian Students. Approximately 15 - 20% of each cohort comprises of those who have entered as “lateral entry” mature-aged students. The success of progress from one level to the other has varied depending on the number of years since last enrolment into formal education and previous education experience. The lateral entry cohort also records the higher number of repeats in the 3rd and 4th year of five year BDS program. Conclusions: The Multi-entry / Multi-exit program has effectively provided a means for career progression within Dentistry and has been utilized well in Fiji to overcome some of the workforce issues that presented about a decade ago.