Dental Students’ Motivation and Social Commitment: Addressing Inequality in Oral He

Background: In recent years, there has been a growing focus on social responsibility in healthcare, and with social inequality increasing in Scandinavia, this focus has become even more relevant. ADEE’s “Graduating European<br/>Dentist” Curriculum underscores the importance of educating dental professionals on social responsibility. This study explores Danish dental students’ motivations to study dentistry, their perspectives on social awareness, their<br/>responsibilities as dentists, and their views on the current professionalism curriculum.<br/>Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the motivational drivers among dental students with special emphasis on the role of social commitment and awareness of health inequalities.<br/>Methods: A mixed-method study consisting of a questionnaire survey and semi-structured individual interviews were conducted among dental students at Aarhus University, Denmark. The interviews were transcribed and<br/>inductively coded to identify common themes.<br/>Results: The survey yielded a response rate of 65% (n=257). Students were motivated to study dentistry by factors such as job security, high income, and regular working hours but also highly motivated by altruistic values.<br/>However, the results revealed an ambiguity regarding individual responsibility for initiating bottom-up actions to ensure equal access to dental care and most students in the interviews saw a need for top-down changes. Students agreed that they have learned to behave professionally, communicate effectively, and perform patientcentered care. Moreover, they acknowledged encountering social inequality in the university clinic although they are primarily exposed to economically vulnerable patients and not patients experiencing true inequal access.<br/>Discussion and Conclusion: Drawing on an empirically informed understanding of dental students' motivational structures, their professional outlook, and common obstacles to achieving equal access to dental care, this study<br/>underscores the need for curricular activities that foster social awareness and support equality-promoting clinical interventions that can be implemented in the future dentists own clinical practice.