Perception of Thai dental students on becoming innovative healthcare professionals

This study investigated the perception of dental students on becoming innovative healthcare professionals. The specific objective was to identify aspects of innovative healthcare development that could spur their interest in becoming more involved in healthcare research and new product development.

Survey research was conducted via questionnaires using a five-point Likert scale response. Based on the innovation science literature, each questionnaire comprised three sets of questions that might foster dental students' interest in healthcare innovation development. Data were obtained from 265 students from years 2, 4 and 6.

Three critical dimensions of dental student's preferences were revealed. First, socially related goals were identified as important for developing healthcare innovation. Second, non-traditional learning activities, especially lectures from experienced innovators or an industrial trip were suggested to foster interest in healthcare innovation. Third, the students thought it was important to learn about the research process that translates scientific findings into healthcare innovation.

This study identifies potential ways to develop dental clinicians' interest in becoming innovative professionals who are involved in healthcare product development. This is especially true for Thailand where commercially based innovation has not yet flourished.