Factors Influencing Career Choices of Dental Students in a State University in Turkey

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the career choices of students in Marmara University Faculty of Dentistry in the 2014-2015 academic year. Methods: Data were collected from 468 dental students by using a 55-item questionnaire. Results: Mean age of students were 21.6 (range 17-25); 300(64.1%) of them were female and 168(35.9%) were male. Two hundred two (43.2%) students indicated that their first choice was dentistry. If they were to make a choice for a second time, 196(41.9%) of students would again prefer dentistry as their career. There was a significant difference between the year of study and the statement “I will prefer dentistry again” (p