Graduados e graduandos de odontologia: motivações e expectativas profissionais

Abstract

Changes have been occurring in the dentistry job market, mainly due to the growing number of higher education institutions that have been emerging in the country. In Fortaleza, capital of the State of Ceará, this reality is no different, with the city today having eight higher education institutions in Dentistry, a scenario that can cause a collapse in the dental job market, due to the progressive increase of professionals who are being graduated. annually. Given this scenario, the objective of this study was to know the profile of undergraduate and graduate students in Dentistry in the city of Fortaleza-CE, investigating their motivations and professional expectations. As a methodology, we opted for a case study, whose data were collected through a questionnaire, and non participant observation, for undergraduate students from the first to the tenth semesters, and for dental surgeons already graduated at the respective institution, between the years from 2018 to 2019, totaling the sample 229 respondents. The data were analyzed qualitatively, comparing them with other studies already published. The results revealed that the interviewees are predominantly female, single and aged between 17 and 25 years. The choice of the Dentistry course was motivated by vocation, followed by the desire for stability and influence of the family. Regarding professional expectations, the vast majority expressed the desire to take a postgraduate course and reconcile work in their own office and in the public service. It is concluded that the greatest expectation of the interviewees is to work independently, in their dental offices, being able to complement their income through the public or private service. There is a need to monitor the profile of these graduates and graduating students, in order to monitor the reach of their professional expectations and continuing education.