Graduates' characteristics and professional situation: a follow-up of five classes graduated from the Malmö model

This study describes some characteristics of graduates of the five first classes from the Malmö dental programme, their overall experience of the programme, and their professional situation. Of 166 graduates (graduated 1995-1999) who were invited to participate, 128 responded (response rate 77%). The questionnaire queried participant characteristics, undergraduate education, and professional situation. The median age of the respondents at graduation was 26 years (range: 24-43 years, female: 56%). One-fourth of the respondents were born outside Sweden.Two-thirds of the respondents answered that they enrolled in the dental education because they wanted to become a dentist. Most respondents (97%) were working as a dentist, and a majority (82%) worked full-time. The respondents thought their dental education had prepared them well for their profession. About one-third of the respondents worked outside Sweden; the majority had been born outside of Sweden. The respondents' satisfaction with their professional situation, which was high overall, correlated to how much they were able to influence their work situation. About one-fourth expressed interest in specialist training. Respondents differed on the topic of research education: 64% of the female graduates and 42% of the male graduates were interested. We conclude that the respondents were satisfied with their professional situation as a dentist and that most were interested in postgraduate education.