176 Journal of Dental Education ■ Volume 77, Number 2 International Dental Education Motivational Factors and Future Plans of Nigerian Orthodontic Residents Tolulase Abosede Yemitan, B.D.S., F.W.A.C.S.; Oladipo J. Bamgbose, B.D.S.; Dada A. Fadeju, B.D.S. Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate factors inluencing career choice of Nigerian orthodontic residents and to iden- tify their future plans. All orthodontic residents in the Nigerian residency training programs were invited to complete a survey in July 2010. Data were categorized by demographic variables and were analyzed with statistical methods including chi-square analyses. Twenty-eight of the thirty-seven orthodontic residents in Nigeria completed the survey. The most important factor inluencing the decision to pursue specialty training in orthodontics was a “passion for orthodontics” (42.9 percent), followed by “intellectual stimulation/challenge” (25 percent). The decision to become an orthodontist was made by 32.1 percent of the respondents while in dental school; 35.7 percent decided after completing dental school during private practice and 14.3 percent during a dental residency, while 3.6 percent had already decided before starting their dental school studies. Eleven residents (39.3 percent) said they plan to work in a private practice environment. Only four residents indicated that they will most likely practice primarily in an academic setting, while ten were undecided. Most residents (85.7 percent) reported planning to practice in an urban setting. A passion for orthodontics was the major attraction for orthodontic residency training for most residents in Nigeria, and few residents were considering academic career choices after graduation. Dr. Yemitan is Consultant Orthodontist, Dental Department, Randle General Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria; Dr. Bamgbose is Resident, Child Dental Health Department, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria; and Dr. Fadeju is Resident, Child Dental Health Department, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Osun, Nigeria. Direct correspondence and requests for re- prints to Dr. Tolulase Abosede Yemitan, Dental Department, Randle General Hospital, 68 Randle Avenue, Surulere, Lagos 2315, Nigeria; tolulaseyemitan@yahoo.com. Keywords: orthodontics, orthodontic education, orthodontic residents, academic recruitment, Nigeria Submitted for publication 3/8/12; accepted 4/11/12 P ostgraduate dental training in Nigeria involves various disciplines of dentistry including or- thodontics and is regulated by two examination bodies, the Fellowship of the Medical College in Dental Surgery and Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons. A review of the literature on motives of residents for choosing orthodontics as a specialty reveals that residents in various countries have been found to choose orthodontics as a career because of intellectual stimulation or challenge, passion for orthodontics, workload lexibility, and predictability, among other reasons. 1-5 These studies established that most residents were interested in entering private practice with little time dedicated to research. It is important to document the priorities and future plans of those choosing orthodontics as a specialty. This information can assist in recruitment strategies, particularly in recruiting candidates with an interest in academic dentistry as well as candidates interested in practicing in underserved and rural areas after graduation. The crisis in recruitment and retention of orthodontic educators has been well documented. 6-13 Since research has found that most residents plan to enter private practice with little time dedicated to research, it has been suggested that the orthodontic community must continue to provide supporting evidence that there will continue to be a shortage of persons interested in pursuing academic careers, thus underscoring the need for strategies directed towards a solution. 3 Our study identiied factors that motivated Nigerian orthodontic residents to choose orthodontics as a career and included information on their career plans after graduation. Materials and Methods This study received approval from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital Research Ethics Board. The heads of all the Nigerian orthodontic residency programs were contacted, and permission was obtained to contact their residents to complete the survey.