Dental students' knowledge about careers in academic dentistry

The purposes of this study were to determine the knowledge of fourth-year dental students regarding certain issues related to an academic career and to ascertain their intent to pursue such a career. Factors contributing to the students' intent to pursue academia were assessed, including the effect of dental school programs designed to educate students about a career in dental education. Surveys were sent to twelve U.S. dental schools that reported having either a mandatory or elective academic career educational program or no program at all. The surveys were completed by fourth-year dental students who were queried as to their knowledge of selected academic issues. Surveys were returned by 561 students from eleven of the twelve selected dental schools. Knowledge level of academic issues among respondents was overwhelmingly low. Factors contributing to the intent to pursue some form of faculty career were gender, plans to specialize, knowledge of academic issues, having a parent in higher education, and personal teaching experience. The results of this study suggest that dental students in general do not possess the knowledge and information necessary to make an informed decision regarding a career in dental education.