%A Saravanan, N %A Thiruneervannan, R %T Reasons for choosing dentistry as a career: A study involving dental students in V.M.S. Dental College, Salem %9 Article %D 2011 %J Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry %P 412-419 %V 9 %N 18 %U https://journals.lww.com/aphd/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2011;volume=9;issue=18;spage=412;epage=419;aulast=Saravanan %8 October 1, 2011 %X Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify reasons for choosing dentistry as a career and to consider the factors that had influenced their decision among dental students in V.M.S. Dental College, Salem. Materials and Methods: A self-completion Questionnaire which was distributed among both undergraduates and postgraduates dental students. Answers were then analyzed to find differences between the groups. Results: A total of 405 dental students were participated in the present study. Among the study population, only 74 (18%) of them from Dentistry background. about 231 (57%) of them choosing dentistry because of their own interest and 93 (23%) of them choosing dentistry because of unavailability of other courses. after completion of the course about 213 (53%) have opted for higher education, followed by 127 (31%) for private practice. To start practice 306 (75%) of them choose urban and 99 (25%) ) of them choose rural area. about 176 (43%) opted for private practice, after their graduation they interested to go abroad for further studies about 154 (38%) and182 (45%) for further practice. Among the study population, if they not dentist, 245 (60.5%) of them have opted professional course and 39 (9.7%) of them like to do business. About 320 (79%) of them consider dentistry as mainstream career. About 273 (67.5%) of them will suggest others to join dentistry. About192 (47%) of them think that dentistry suits both male and female. According to their post graduate subject choice 88 (22%) of them are interested in oral pathology, 78 (20%) of them are interested in oral surgery and oral medicine, equally. Among the study population74 (18%) of them say that scope of dentistry is excellent in India and 189 (47%) of them consider good scope. %0 Journal Article %I Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications %@ 2319-5932