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Dentistry Journal
Volume 14
Issue 5
10.3390/dj14050300
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Article

Dental Students’ Perceptions of Workforce Readiness, Career Aspirations and Institutional Support Needs at the Point of Professional Transition: A Cross-Sectional Study in Romania

by
Băluță Daniel
1,
Dragomirescu Anca Oana
2,*,
Drăgoi Mihaela Cristina
3,
Băluță Andreea Mihaela
4,*,
Păcurar Mariana
5 and
Ionescu Ecaterina
2
1
Department of Restorative Odontotherapy, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
2
Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
3
Department of International Business and Economics, Faculty of International Business and Economics, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010404 Bucharest, Romania
4
Department of Esthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
5
Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, George Emil Palade University Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Dent. J. 2026, 14(5), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14050300
Submission received: 26 March 2026 / Revised: 1 May 2026 / Accepted: 11 May 2026 / Published: 14 May 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Dental Education)
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Abstract

Background: The transition from dental education to professional practice represents a critical stage in career development, influenced by individual expectations, labor market conditions, and institutional support mechanisms. This study aimed to explore final-year dental students’ perceptions of professional transition and the role of public authorities in facilitating early-career integration. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 216 final-year dental students from a single Romanian university using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using Jamovi software, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Most students reported feeling insufficiently prepared for professional practice and identified lack of clinical experience as the main barrier to employment. A strong preference for private sector employment was observed, while interest in the public sector was limited. Students expressed a clear need for structured support, including mentorship, practical training, and career guidance. A significant association was identified between intention to work abroad and the types of support expected from authorities (χ2(2) = 14.7, p < 0.001, moderate effect size). Conclusions: The findings highlight important challenges in the transition to professional practice and emphasize the need for coordinated interventions involving educational institutions and public authorities. Strengthening structured support mechanisms may facilitate professional integration and contribute to improved workforce retention.
Keywords: dental students; professional transition; workforce integration; institutional support; public authorities; career choice; migration intentions dental students; professional transition; workforce integration; institutional support; public authorities; career choice; migration intentions

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MDPI and ACS Style

Daniel, B.; Anca Oana, D.; Cristina, D.M.; Mihaela, B.A.; Mariana, P.; Ecaterina, I. Dental Students’ Perceptions of Workforce Readiness, Career Aspirations and Institutional Support Needs at the Point of Professional Transition: A Cross-Sectional Study in Romania. Dent. J. 2026, 14, 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14050300

AMA Style

Daniel B, Anca Oana D, Cristina DM, Mihaela BA, Mariana P, Ecaterina I. Dental Students’ Perceptions of Workforce Readiness, Career Aspirations and Institutional Support Needs at the Point of Professional Transition: A Cross-Sectional Study in Romania. Dentistry Journal. 2026; 14(5):300. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14050300

Chicago/Turabian Style

Daniel, Băluță, Dragomirescu Anca Oana, Drăgoi Mihaela Cristina, Băluță Andreea Mihaela, Păcurar Mariana, and Ionescu Ecaterina. 2026. "Dental Students’ Perceptions of Workforce Readiness, Career Aspirations and Institutional Support Needs at the Point of Professional Transition: A Cross-Sectional Study in Romania" Dentistry Journal 14, no. 5: 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14050300

APA Style

Daniel, B., Anca Oana, D., Cristina, D. M., Mihaela, B. A., Mariana, P., & Ecaterina, I. (2026). Dental Students’ Perceptions of Workforce Readiness, Career Aspirations and Institutional Support Needs at the Point of Professional Transition: A Cross-Sectional Study in Romania. Dentistry Journal, 14(5), 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14050300

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