Table 8 Distribution (%) of the responses to the presented motives for interest in paediatric dentistry among Nigerian senior dental students with interest in paediatric dentistry (n = 91), and the mean scores given to each motive
Statements | Mean score | Frequency (%) of choices | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
Parent(s) practice paediatric dentistry | 1.48 | 37.5 | 26.4 | 11.4 | 10.2 | 5.7 | 9.1 |
Friends’ or relatives’ practice paediatric dentistry | 1.43 | 38.6 | 26.1 | 12.5 | 8.0 | 5.7 | 9.1 |
Personal interest in paediatric dentistry | 2.44 | 25.0 | 12.5 | 11.3 | 17.1 | 12.5 | 21.6 |
General interest in working with children | 2.67 | 14.8 | 17.1 | 20.4 | 9.1 | 11.4 | 27.3 |
Experience with working with children | 2.47 | 20.5 | 14.8 | 12.5 | 19.3 | 15.9 | 17.1 |
High income from practicing paediatric dentistry | 1.03 | 64.8 | 8.0 | 9.1 | 3.4 | 6.8 | 8.0 |
Ability to be self-employed | 2.42 | 19.3 | 13.6 | 21.6 | 13.6 | 14.8 | 17.1 |
Social status of being a paedodontists | 1.83 | 31.8 | 14.8 | 18.2 | 18.2 | 8.0 | 9.1 |
Helping children to improve their health | 2.82 | 15.1 | 13.6 | 13.6 | 11.4 | 20.5 | 25.0 |
Becoming a researcher in the field of paediatric dentistry | 2.43 | 17.1 | 19.3 | 15.9 | 15.9 | 14.8 | 17.1 |