Effects of dentistry students' employment on their academic success (2003-2004)

Dr. M. Ghavam * - Dr. F. Poor Malek** - Dr. V. Imani***

*- Associate Professor of Operative Dentistry Dept. - Faculty of Dentistry–Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

**- Resident of Epidemiology Dept. - Faculty of Dentistry – Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

***- Dentist.

Background and Aim: Academic success of Dentistry students is and important issue in dental education, its ignorance will lead to a decrease of scientific level among future dentists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dental students’ occupation on their academic success.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was performed on the students of Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in the academic year of 2004. All the students who had entered dental school in the September of 1998, 1999 and 2000 were given a questionnaire. Out of 200 investigated students, 83 of them were employed during school years. The gained average score was considered as a criteria for the students’ academic success. Data were subjected to t-test, ANOVA and Pearson’s regression analysis, at the significance level of P>0.05.

Results: Employment, either related or unrelated to dentistry, had significant negative effects on educational success (P=0.0001). According to this study females versus males, singles versus married students and younger students versus older ones had better educational performance.

Conclusion: Based on these results, paying attention to economic issues and providing welfare for students seems necessary for their academic success.

Key words: Dentistry – Student – Occupation - Academic success.