Effects ofCovid-19 Pandemic on the Career Planning of a Group of Dentistry Students

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the career planning and specialization preference of a group of Turkish dental students and related factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 305 volunteer students from X University Faculty of Dentistry participated in the study. A questionnaire consist of 44 open-ended and multiple-choice questions was sent to the students. Career plans, specialization preferences and the factors affecting them were questioned in the survey for the periods of before and during Covid-19. Results: With the Covid-19 pandemic, 23.3% of the students changed their career plan and 24.6% of them changed their field of specialization. Regarding the results of this present study, choice of private practice was preferred for career planning after the pandemic. The specialty of choice before the pandemic was Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery whereas the department with the highest increase after the pandemic was Endodontics. Conclusions: The Covid-19 pandemic affected the career and specialty preferences of dental students. Factors such as working conditions, financial return, and employment opportunities, rather than aerosol and increased risk of contamination, were effective in this change.