Dental students' views on their education and study circumstances in Nordic countries

The curricula at the Nordic dental schools are similar in their content but may vary in the placement of different subjects and the way of teaching them. The aim of this study was to analyse Nordic dental students social background, and their reasons for choosing dentistry, their opinions on the course, and their future professional plans. A combination of an open-ended and structured questionnaire was given to final year dental students at the dental schools in Aarhus, Bergen, Kuopio and Stockholm. The response rate as 83%. The main reasons for choosing dentistry were its combination of theory and practice (29%), and a wish to work with people (20%), whereas only 4% mentioned the "high status" of the profession. Regular day-time work was emphasized by female students. Most students considered the teaching load heavy. The time devoted to the different subjects was considered sufficient, except for behavioural science and medicine, where the time was too short. There was general dissatisfaction with the teachers pedagogical skills, and there was a feeling that teaching was regarded as secondary to research. Most students planned to become private practitioners. Between 25-55% of the students wanted to specialize, and oral surgery was the most popular specialization.