Methods: This study used a dual methodological approach, involving questionnaires and focus groups to examine motivation, personality, wellbeing, professional career intentions and background of students. All first year dental nursing students entering training from September 2007 were invited to participate in the study. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS v16. Focus groups were conducted using topic guides, audio-taped and transcribed. Qualitative data were analysed using the matrix based approach of Framework Methodology.
Results: All eligible participants participated in the study (100%; n=31), all of whom were female. The average age was 25 years (SD=8.9); 53% of whom were mature students. Students came from black (39%), white (32%), Asian (19%) and mixed (6%) ethnic groups. Two fifths had been born outside the UK across nine countries. Just over half (57%) reported living with family, whilst the majority (85%) had a previous career or had worked for more than a year. Important and very important factors that had motivated students to choose a career in dental nursing were the desire to work with people (79%), desire to work in health care (77%), academic knowledge (67%), job security (66%) and regular working hours (66%). Eighty per cent of the students reported that they knew what they expected to do at the end of their studies. Focus group discussions revealed a range of career aspirations including: 'practising' generalist dental nursing, ‘specialising' in sedation, orthodontics, implants or radiology and ‘studying' for a higher qualification in dentistry.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that working with people and in healthcare, together with features of the job are motivators for this diverse group of female dental nursing students who hold a range of career aspirations.