Change in Perception of Dental Students to Dental Practice

Objectives: To assess the perception of dental students to their training programme and the effect of exposure to dental training on the attitude of dental students to dental practice. Method: The study was conducted by means of an anonymous self-administered questionnaire distributed to 200,500 and 600 level dental students at the college f Medicine, University of Lagos. The questionnaire contained questions on demographic distribution, choice of course, opinion on dental course and curriculum as well as desired future dental practice. Participation was voluntary. Result: 67 students agreed to participate in the study. Majority (51.4%) were aged between 24-27 years. Over 90% of them were admitted through the Joint admission and matriculation board (JAMB) and 40(59.7%) chose medicine as their first course choice. More of the 20-0 level students significantly chose Dentistry. Of the 40,18(45%) had attempted a change of course but only 8 were still interested in changing their course(50% of whom were in 500 level). Most of the change in attitude occurred at the 400 level (33.3%). 60(89.6%) of them considered the dental curriculum as stressful or very stressful. Sixty (89.6%) intend to practice dentistry but 38(63.3%) of these would like to practice outside Nigeria. Conclusion: exposure to dental training appears to improve the perception of students about dental practice but seeming uncertainty about future prospects in Nigeria may lead to brain drain in the dental profession.