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Abstract
This study aims to assess the levels of future and employment-related anxiety experienced by dentistry students enrolled in a public university before graduation. The study was conducted in a descriptive and cross-sectional design and included a total of 123 fourth- and fifth-year dentistry students. Participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of demographic items, the Employment Anxiety Scale, and the Future Anxiety Scale for University Students. Data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation analysis. Findings indicate that dentistry students experience significant levels of future and employment-related anxiety before graduation. Female students reported significantly higher anxiety levels across multiple sub-dimensions compared to male students. No significant difference in overall anxiety was observed based on academic year, although fourth-year students showed higher levels of discrimination-related concerns. A statistically significant moderate correlation was identified between future-related fear and employment anxiety, whereas hopelessness about the future showed a weak but significant association with concerns of inadequacy and discrimination. Dentistry students face considerable anxiety regarding their future careers and employment prospects. It is essential to guide career planning, employment opportunities, and alternative professional pathways. This study reveals employment concerns among future dentists.