## 4 Discussion  
This study investigated the impact of digital literacy and self-esteem on dental students' perceptions of their professional competence. A questionnaire was administered to 427 dentistry students, and the collected data were analyzed. The results demonstrated a positive correlation between digital literacy and self-esteem with students' perceived professional competence. The literature on professional competence presents varying findings. Some studies report that professional competence differs according to demographic and social characteristics [30; 31; 32], while others propose the contrary [33]. In single-centered studies, where demographic characteristics are generally similar, the perception of professional competence does not vary based on these factors. However, in multicenter studies, professional competence levels significantly differ based on demographic characteristics [34; 35; 36]. In this study, the perception of professional competence significantly differed only in relation to the order of preference. It is noteworthy that this research was conducted on a specific group of dentistry students at a single center, which may have influenced the results. Different outcomes might be found in various departments or occupational groups and larger samples or multicenter studies. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{l c c c c c c} \hline \hline \multirow{2}{*}{**Parameter**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**B**} & \multirow{2}{*}{**Std. Error**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**95\% Wald Confidence Interval**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Hypothesis Test**} \\ \cline{3-6}  & & & **Lower** & **Upper** & **Wald X\({}^{2}\)** & \(p\)** \\ \hline (Intercept) & 9.298 & 1.82 & 5.74 & 12.86 & 26.221 & 0.000 \\ \hline [Preference = First five] & 1.199 & 0.70 & \(-0.18\) & 2.58 & 2.913 & 0.088 \\ \hline [Preference = Second five] & 0.000 & 0.79 & \(-1.56\) & 1.56 & 0.000 & \textgreater{}0.05 \\ \hline [Preference = Other] & 0 \({}^{\text{a}}\) & \(\cdot\) & \(\cdot\) & \(\cdot\) & \(\cdot\) & \(\cdot\) \\ \hline RSES Total & 0.290 & 0.05 & 0.20 & 0.38 & 38.193 & 0.000 \\ \hline DLS Total & 0.258 & 0.03 & 0.20 & 0.33 & 53.396 & 0.000 \\ \hline Education satisfaction & 0.806 & 0.38 & 0.05 & 1.56 & 4.399 & 0.036 \\ \hline Occupation interest & 3.825 & 0.33 & 3.17 & 4.48 & 130.654 & 0.000 \\ \hline (Scale) & 27.478 \({}^{\text{b}}\) & 1.88 & 24.03 & 31.42 & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  
* Dependent Variable: PCS Total; Model: (Intercept), Preference, SES\_Total, DLS\_Total, Education satisfaction, Occupation interest; \({}^{\text{a}}\). Set to zero because this parameter is redundant; \({}^{\text{b}}\). Maximum likelihood estimate; RSES: Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; DLS: Digital Literacy Scale; PCS: Professional Competence Scale.  
\end{table} 
Table 4: Generalized linear model (logit model) analysis results for correlated factors with PCS. Factors affecting the perception of professional competence include an individual's professional characteristics and interest in their chosen profession. Individuals who choose their profession willingly and have a high level of interest tend to possess higher professional competence and experience greater life satisfaction [37; 38; 39]. In line with this, both educational satisfaction and interest in the profession were found to positively and significantly impact professional competence. [PERSON] et al. found that dentistry students residing away from their hometowns exhibited lower academic proficiency compared to those living in their native cities [40]. However, in this study, the educational success of students from other cities was statistically similar to those who resided in Istanbul. Understanding the factors influencing one's job decision is crucial because it shapes future expectations and could influence career satisfaction. While some people join the workforce with substantial knowledge and reasonable expectations, others might end up in jobs they have yet to learn.