Short-term and long-term planned selection of practice location among Chulalongkorn dental students

Authors :

• Chanchai Hosanguan B.Sc. (Hons), D.D.S. (Hons), M.S.

Abstract :

Objectives The purposes of this study were to compare short-term and long-term planned practice
locations among Chulalongkorn (C.U.) dental students and to identity factors related to perceived
changes of practice location.

Materials and methods The study sample consisted of 258 first-, third-, and sixth-year C.U.
dental students. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data about short-term and
long-term planned practice locations and relating factors. Stepwise logistic regression analyses
were performed to identity predictors of perceived change of practice location.

Results About 94.8% of C.U. dental students expected to undergo bonded service. However,
only 34.8% intended to continue the service after the 3-year bonded period. In the short-term timeframe,
91.6% of students planned for locations outside Bangkok and peri-metropolitan. On the other hand,
the majority of students (65.7%) planned for locations in Bangkok and peri-metropolitan in the
long-term timeframe. Comparison between the 2 timeframes revealed 57.0% of students with
stability of practice location and 43.0% with perceived location change. Logistic regression
analyses identified 2 predictors of perceived location change: having hometown in Bangkok and
peri-metropolitan and long-term private career choice.

Conclusion Patterns of planned practice location differ between the 2 timeframes. The majority of
dental students intend to move into Bangkok and peri-metropolitan areas. This urban migration may
reflect long-term adjustment of social dislocation.

(CU Dent J. 2008;31:87-102)

Keywords :
Chulalongkorn; dental student; hometown; long-term; practice location; short-term