Opinions of dental students in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and in Kuopio (Finland) concerning studies and expectations for future career.

The aim of this study was to compare the social background, career choice and future plans of dental students in a developing country, Tanzania, and in an industrialized country, Finland. In Dar es Salaam 100 per cent (n = 25) and in Kuopio 95 per cent (n = 120) of all dental students participated in this study during the academic year 1990-91 by returning an anonymous questionnaire. The similarities that Tanzanian and Finnish dental students shared were related to their feelings and opinions about dental studies and stress. In both places, dental studies seemed to be perceived quite stressful. However, most of the students from both countries planned to pursue further studies after graduation. As future career options, teaching and research were preferred among the Tanzanian students (38 per cent), while the majority of Finnish students (56 per cent) planned to work in community service. The observed difference in the preferred career options was most probably due to differing practical opportunities for a graduating dentist in the two countries.