| Rank | Factor | Mean Score ± SD | Not Important | Slightly important | Moderately important | Very Important | Extremely important | Missing |
| 1 | Personal Preference | 4.25 ± 0.858 | 0 (0.0) | 3 (5.4) | 6 (10.7) | 21 (47.5) | 26 (46.4) |
|
| 2 | Level of Patient satisfaction | 3.95 ± 1.069 | 1 (1.8) | 6 (10.7) | 9 (16.1) | 19 (33.9) | 21 (37.5) |
|
| 3 | Level of renumeration | 3.71 ± 0.936 | 6 (10.7) | 16 (28.6) | 21 (37.5) | 12 (21.4) | 1 (1.8) |
|
| 4 | Guaranteed Income/Benefits | 3.95 ± 0.818 | 0 | 2 (3.6) | 14 (25.0) | 25 (44.6) | 15 (26.8) |
|
| 5 | Prestige and Reputation associated with specialty | 2.88 ± 1.096 | 8 (14.3) | 9 (16.1) | 25 (44.6) | 10 (17.9) | 4 (7.1) |
|
| 6 | Job Opportunities/Job Security | 4.21± 0.909 | 1 (1.8) | 2 (3.6) | 6 (10.7) | 22 (39.3) | 25 (44.6) |
|
| 7 | Type of patient seen | 3.13 ± 1.010 | 5 (8.9) | 6 (10.7) | 26 (46.4) | 15 (26.8) | 4 (7.1) |
|
| 8 | Family Commitments | 3.70 ± 1.111 | 3 (5.4) | 5 (8.9) | 12 (21.4) | 22 (39.3) | 14 (25.0) |
|
| 9 | Predictable working hours | 4.05 ± 0.862 | 0 | 2 (3.6) | 13 (23.2) | 21 (37.5) | 20 (35.7) |
|
| 10 | Flexible work schedule | 4.16 ± 0.826 | 0 | 1 (1.8) | 12 (21.4) | 20 (35.7) | 23 (41.1) |
|
| 11 | Length of Programme Study | 3.71 ± 1.031 | 1 (1.8) | 5 (8.9) | 18 (32.1) | 16 (28.6) | 15 (26.8) | 1 (1.8) |
| 12 | Influence of family/friends/colleagues | 2.39 ± 1.155 | 17 (30.4) | 11 (19.6) | 19 (33.9) | 7 (12.5) | 2 (3.6) |
|
| 13 | Interactions with specialized dentists | 3.16 ± 1.247 | 8 (14.3) | 7 (12.5) | 17 (30.4) | 16 (28.6) | 8 (14.3) |
|
| 14 | Simplicity of Specialty | 3.04 ± 1.144 | 5 (8.9) | 14 (25.0) | 17 (30.4) | 14 (25.0) | 6 (10.7) |
|
| 15 | Financial Assistance to Fund Post-Graduate Specialization | 3.48 ± 1.401 | 8 (14.3) | 6 (10.7) | 10 (17.9) | 15 (26.8) | 17 (30.4) |
|
| 16 | Availability of Post-Graduate Courses Locally | 3.02 ± 1.581 | 16 (28.6) | 6 (10.7) | 7 (12.5) | 13 (23.2) | 13 (23.2) | 1 (1.8) |
| 17 | Perceived Saturation of Field | 3.67 ± 1.187 | 4 (7.1) | 4 (7.1) | 14 (25.0) | 17 (30.4) | 16 (28.6) | 1 (1.8) |
| 18 | Preference for Public Sector | 2.59 ± 1.345 | 17 (30.4) | 9 (16.1) | 16 (28.6) | 8 (14.3) | 6 (10.7) |
|
| 19 | Preference for Private Sector | 3.54 ± 1.159 | 4 (7.1) | 5 (8.9) | 17 (30.4) | 17 (30.4) | 13 (23.2) |
|