Motivating factors associated with choosing orthodontics for future prospects among newly passed out dental professionals in Maharashtra, India

BACKGROUND: Choosing postgraduate subject as a future career is always tricky but there are factors associated which persuade the dental undergrads to choose the particular postgraduate course and orthodontics is one of them. Hence, the aim of present study was to determine motivating factors associated with choosing orthodontics for future prospects among newly passed out undergraduate dental professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study. The present study is conducted among the freshly pass out dental professionals who had started their setup. The study was conducted in October–November 2019. The study was conducted among three cities of Maharashtra. Convenient sampling was used to select the samples. A close ended questionnaire was prepared. RESULTS: Majority of study participants {64 (45.39%)} belonged to age group 26–28 years. Females respondents {82 (58.15%)} were more than male study participants. Majority of dental professionals {71 (50.35%)} choose orthodontics dentofacial orthopedics as the specialty for future prospect. Most common reasons {16 (22.57%)} to choose orthodontics for future prospect by majority of respondents was “Can earn more money.” Age was significantly (P = 005*) associated with money as reason to choose orthodontic as future prospect. Gender was significantly associated with family pressure (P = 0.01*) and love, interest, and passion for orthodontics (P = 0.01*). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that majority of dental professionals choose orthodontic as their preferred choice. Main reason for choosing orthodontics was monetary benefits followed by the reason that finds orthodontics intellectually and clinically challenging.