Dental students' perceptions of and experiences with prosthodontics: ten graduating classes at one institution.

It is important for members of the dental specialties to understand what motivates students to enter the specialty in order to ensure its continuing development and ability to meet patient needs. The aim of this study was to compare ten graduating classes at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) regarding students' experiences with and perceptions of prosthodontics and factors influencing those interested in pursuing prosthodontics as a specialty. In 2013, HSDM students in the classes of 2012-16 were surveyed, achieving a response rate of 81%. Survey questions sought information regarding specialty choice, factors influencing the choice, student experiences with prosthodontics, and student perceptions of the dental disciplines. Responses were compared to those from a prior study of the HSDM classes of 2007-11. The responses showed a decrease in negative student experiences with prosthodontics. The students regarded prosthodontics highly for its impact on patient quality of life; however, students interested in pursuing prosthodontics as a specialty decreased. All students said provider enjoyment was most important in choice of specialty. Cost of program, patient type, and program location were factors that especially influenced students interested in prosthodontics. The improved student experiences with and perspectives on prosthodontics may be a result of a curriculum change that led to more prosthodontics procedures and case completions by students. The fall in students interested in prosthodontics may have resulted from prosthodontic faculty transitions that occurred when the survey was conducted, as well as large debt burdens in spite of the fact that prosthodontists' earnings are among the highest in dentistry. Faculty must educate and mentor students about the realities of the profession, provide positive learning experiences in the field, and encourage students who enjoy prosthodontics to pursue specialty training.