Career Objectives of Graduating Dental Students of Riyadh ELM University in Riyadh City an Analytical Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the future plans of the soon-to-be graduating students
of the Riyadh Elm University (REU). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to senior
dental students in REU. Result: A total of 155 questionnaires were returned. More than half
entered dental school because it is their interest (59.3%). Most of the respondents chose to join
postgraduate studies after they graduate (50.9) while 25.8% chose to work as general dentist in a
governmental or private practice. The most two specialties chosen equally for PG studies were
prosthodontics and restorative dentistry (23.8%). United states and Saudi Arabia were the two
countries mostly selected for postgraduate studies (58% and 18.4% respectively). Approximately
half of the respondents plan to have their own private practice. Marriage is thought to moderately
affect the future plan of the respondents (35.4%). It is concluded that most of the senior dental
students will pursue PG studies after graduation. Further studies are recommended to investigate
the future plans of senior dental students in REU and other dental colleges.