The emerging dental workforce: long-term career expectations and influences. A quantitative study of final year dental students' views on their long-term career from one London Dental School

Abstract

BackgroundResearch into the motivation and expectations of the emerging workforce and their short-term expectations has already been reported with a view to informing professional and policy decisions. The objective of this component of the research programme was to examine the long-term goals and perceived influences on final year dental students' professional careers.MethodsUnivariate analysis of a self completed questionnaire survey of all final year dental students from King's College London, comprising questions on demography, long-term career goals and influences, proposed commitment to dentistry, commitment to healthcare systems and the influences thereon. Statistical analysis included Chi Squared tests for linear association.ResultsNinety per cent of students responded to this survey (n = 126), the majority of whom were aged 23 years (59%), female (58%) and Asian (70%). Long-term career goals were fairly evenly split between 'dentist with a special interest' (27%), 'primary dental care practitioner' (26%) and 'specialist' (25%), with 19% not certain. Only 60% of total respondents anticipated working full-time in the long-term (79% males cf 52% females; p = 0.00). The vast majority of respondents (≥80%) identified 'work-life balance', 'financial stability' and 'professional development' as 'important' or 'very important' influences on the number of future sessions. Females were significantly more likely to rate childcare commitments as an important influence on their future working capacity compared with males (p = 0.00). A wide range of factors were considered important or very important in making the NHS attractive, led by support for professional development (88%) and feeling valued by patients (88%), as well as funding, time with patients, rewards for prevention and practical issues such as dental materials and premises. Females were significantly more likely than males to be attracted to work within the NHS by 'childcare support' (p = 0.02), 'retraining facilities after career break' (p = 0.01), 'assistance with student debt' (p = 0.01) and 'incentives to work in deprived areas'.ConclusionLong-term career plans of new graduates from this London Dental School commonly embrace opportunities for professional development as well as personal issues such as work/life balance and financial income. Significant differences were identified between male and females long-term plans and influences. The implications of these findings are discussed.

The career intentions, work-life balance and retirement plans of dental undergraduates at the University of Bristol

“…The minority of students (2%) who intend providing only NHS dental treatment supports previous findings, 5 possibly due to the perceived lack of financial reward, and the need to repay any amassed student debt. It has been suggested previously 4 that if the NHS took into account factors that dental students felt were important, such as increasing funding levels, spending more time with patients and using modern materials they would be more likely to provide treatment on the NHS. Whilst the majority intend on providing both NHS and private dental treatment, it is the amount of time they spend on providing NHS treatment, rather than simply the numbers, that will have an impact on access for patients and therefore this needs to be considered in the future planning of dental accessibility.…”

“…Orthodontics was the most popular choice of subject (40%), especially from females (47%), supporting previous findings. 4 However, restorative dentistry is now a less popular choice compared to previous findings when it was found to be as popular as orthodontics. 4 Previous studies have also found an increase in the number of female dentists specialising and significant gender differences within specialities.…”

“…4 However, restorative dentistry is now a less popular choice compared to previous findings when it was found to be as popular as orthodontics. 4 Previous studies have also found an increase in the number of female dentists specialising and significant gender differences within specialities. 8,15 Following DFT, the majority (93%) of respondents intend on working full-time, although this drops to 77% after 5 years and to 48% after 15 years.…”

“…In turn, these choices may have an impact on access to dentistry and whether or not the oral health needs of the population are met. 4 Previous studies have found that students consider their work-life balance to be very important. 4,5 In addition, a high income and a high standard of living were important factors influencing the long term careers of dental students studying at one UK university.…”

“…4,5 In addition, a high income and a high standard of living were important factors influencing the long term careers of dental students studying at one UK university. 4 In 2012, following the publication of the Browne Report 6 on the future of Higher Education funding, undergraduate tuition fees in England and Wales were increased when the capping of fees was raised to £9,000 per annum. The effects of this on dental undergraduates' intended career plans are unknown.…”