Abstract

MASETLA, MM  and  MTHETHWA, SR. Future plans of final-year dental therapy students at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. S. Afr. dent. j. [online]. 2021, vol.76, n.10, pp.587-593. ISSN 0375-1562.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2519-0105/2021/v76no10a1.

INTRODUCTION: The distribution and accessibility of healthcare professionals as well as the quality of healthcare services that the healthcare system is able to deliver are significantly affected by the choices of the medical and other health science graduates. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To describe the career and practice intentions of final-year dental therapy students' classes of the years 2017 and 2018 at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHODS: A structured, closed, self-administered, questionnaire was used to collect data. Data related to demographic characteristics, work preferences and career intentions were acquired and then captured in Microsoft excel software. RESULTS: Female students constituted the majority (54.05%). The average age of the population was 23 years old. 64.86% of the students preferred to work in the public sector. A little more (18.9% vs 13.5%) students had been offered jobs than had applied. Twice as many (54.05% vs. 27.03%) preferred to work in the Gauteng province as the percentage who resided there. No fewer than 59.46% saw themselves owning private practices in five years' time. CONCLUSION: The majority of students preferred to work in the public sector after graduating with the intention of owning a private practice in the medium term.

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