Post-graduation career pathways: a nationwide survey among dental students in Germany

Clinical Oral Investigations, vol. 28, pp. 134

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) has to compete with other specialties for the best candidates. With the upcoming change of generations (Z and Alpha) and the movement toward gender parity of dentistry, understanding changing preferences and misconceptions is essential. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted by the German-Association-of-Oral-and-Maxillofacial-Surgery (DGMKG) across German dental schools. The survey collected demographic data, academic background, and career aspirations, with a focus on OMFS. The dental student survey results were compared to a survey given to OMFS Specialists. RESULTS: 637 dental students, mainly female (70%), from 30 German universities participated. 27% had defined career aspirations post-graduation, with self-employment and academia being popular choices. 67% were unsure. Specializations leaned towards restorative dentistry (41%), orthodontics (36%), and prosthodontics (31%). While 73% showed interest in surgical practices, 20% were attracted in specializing in OMFS. Of those averse to OMFS, 78% cited long training duration as the deterrent, 12% were put off by perceived unattractive working hours. Other reasons included negative undergraduate experiences, scarcity of part-time positions, and perceived inadequate earnings. CONCLUSION: Accurate data is crucial for career decisions. OMFS societies must proactively share accurate information and guide students. OMFS offers family-friendly hours, and while its training might be longer than dental specialties, it is on par with other surgical professions. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dental students consistently regard OMFS as commendable career path. To guarantee sustained OMFS expertise, it is imperative to nurture this interest through dedicated academic mentorship and innovative education, thereby solidifying their professional direction.

Authors 8

1. Daniel G. E. Thiem corresponding

   University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, Augustusplatz 2, 55131, Mainz, Germany. daniel.thiem@uni-mainz.de

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, Augustusplatz 2, 55131, Mainz, Germany

2. Behrus Puladi Aachen Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

   RWTH Aachen University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany

3. Lukas Benedikt Seifert

   University Hospital Frankfurt · Goethe University Frankfurt

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral, Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, University Medical Center Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

4. Philipp Becker

   Bundeswehrzentralkrankenhaus Koblenz

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Federal Armed Forces Hospital, Rübenacherstr. 170, 56072, Koblenz, Germany

5. Monika Bjelopavlovic

   University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Prosthodontics, University Medical Center Mainz, Augustusplatz 2, 55131, Mainz, Germany

6. Patrick Magennis

   Aintree University Hospital · Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Fazakerley, Liverpool, UK

7. Jörg Wiltfang

   University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral- and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Arnold-Heller-Straße 3/House 26, 241015, Kiel, Germany

8. Felix Benjamin Warwas

   University Hospital Bonn

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Oral- and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße, 53127, Bonn, Germany