Reasons for choosing dentistry as a career by Arab dental students.

The aim of this study was to determine the reasons for choosing dentistry as a career in an Arab population of undergraduate dental students in Jordan. An anonymous questionnaire was administered to dental students from year 1 to 5 at the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Jordan in Amman. The questionnaire comprised 31 items and the students were required to rate the importance of each item for selecting dentistry as a career on a 10 point scale. Parametric tests were used to investigate if statistically significant differences existed between scores for different groups. The response rate for the study was 79% (477 out of 604 students recruited). Two hundred and twenty one students (46%) had dentistry as a first choice. Prestige was given a maximum score by 44.4% of the students recruited and a similar number of students, 43.6% gave a maximum score to the factor representing helping people. There were slight differences in the motivation between male and females with males more motivated by financial factors. It was concluded that 'prestige' and 'helping people' were important motivating factors in this group of dental students.

Prevalence, association, and sexual dimorphism of Carabelli's molar and shovel incisor traits amongst Jordanian population.

INTRODUCTION: The correlation between dental morphological traits can be used as an indicator to show major ethnic differences. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of Carabelli's molar and shovel incisor traits and tested their association and sexual dimorphism in Jordanian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred subjects of school children at their 10th grade and of 15.5-year as an average age were involved. Alginate impressions for the maxillary arch were taken, poured, and casts were then trimmed. The selected accurate casts were of 132 male- and 155 female-students. The examined morphologic traits were Carabelli's trait on the maxillary first and second molars and shovel-shaped incisors. The relationship between different traits was investigated by Nonparametric Correlation analysis and Independent Sample t test was used to test sexual dimorphism in trait expression. RESULTS: The prevalence of Carabelli's trait in maxillary first molar and shovel trait in maxillary central incisor was relatively high (65.0 % and 53.0 %, respectively). The prevalence of Carabelli's trait on maxillary second molars was 3.8 %. Nonparametric Correlations revealed a strongest positive correlation between Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar and shovel trait in males (P = 0.005). Significant sexual dimorphism was only found in the prevalence of Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar (P = 0.013) and shovel trait (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The Jordanian Population had comparatively high prevalence of Carabelli's molar and shovel incisor traits. There was a positive association between Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar and shovel trait in males. Sexual dimorphism was evident in Carabelli's trait on maxillary first molar and shovel trait.

Cleft lip and palate in Jordan: birth prevalence rate.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: A retrospective investigation was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of Jordanian children born with oral clefts from 1991 to 2001. SETTING: Hospital surgical records from two main sources were used to identify all children born with orofacial clefting. Information about date of birth, sex, cleft types, and associated major anomalies and syndromes were recorded. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate for live births with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both was 1.39 per 1000 live births. Thirty percent of the clefts identified affected the lip, 22 percent affected the palate, and 48 percent involved the clefts of the lip and palate. In general, higher prevalence rates were found for boys than girls (55% boys versus 45% girls). There was a statistically significant sex difference between the cleft types. Clefts of the isolated palate, however, were more common in girls. Eighteen percent of patients with cleft were associated with major anomalies or syndromes. CONCLUSIONS: The reported prevalence rate for orofacial clefts among Jordanians is similar to the previously reported prevalence rate in white Caucasians. Results and future recommendations are discussed.