Status of Clinical Training at Tokyo Dental College and Subsequent Career Pathway - Focusing on Training Facilities...

The goal of the present study was to clarify the status of training in clinical dentistry at training facilities belonging to Tokyo Dental College by investigating trainee quota fill rates and analyzing the relationship between selection of training program and subsequent career pathway. The trainees were divided into 4 groups based on career pathway after training: those entering graduate school; those becoming residents; those remaining at the college or hospital to take specialized clinical courses or for other purposes; and those starting work outside the college. The trainee quota fill rate was highest at the Suidobashi Hospital, followed by the Ichikawa General and Chiba Hospitals. A total of 8 training programs have been implemented at these facilities (Chiba: A, B, C, and D; Suidobashi, A, B, and C; and Ichikawa, A). A comparison among training programs revealed that the fill rate exceeded 60% in all cases, except for Chiba D, where it was markedly lower, at 25%. Career pathway after training significantly varied between training facilities. Among trainees selecting the Chiba Hospital, the highest proportion was occupied by those starting work outside the college. The proportion of those entering graduate school was also high in this group. Similarly, among trainees selecting the Suidobashi Hospital, the highest proportion was occupied by those starting work outside the college. The proportion of those entering graduate school was low in this group, however. Among trainees selecting the Ichikawa General Hospital, the proportions of those entering graduate school and those becoming residents were particularly high, while the proportion of those starting work outside the college was low. A comparison of career pathways revealed a significant difference only between Chiba Programs B and C. In conclusion, training facility showed a markedly stronger influence on career pathway than training program.