Dentists in general and community practice: a Scottish survey

Area of Science:

• Dental Public Health
• Health Workforce Research

Background:

• General dental practice (GDP) and community dental services (CDS) form the backbone of primary dental care.
• Understanding the workforce's job satisfaction and future plans is vital for service planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the job satisfaction, career intentions, and retirement plans of dentists in general and community dental practice in Scotland.
• To identify factors influencing workforce retention and satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A postal cross-sectional survey was conducted.
• Semi-structured questionnaires were sent to primary care dentists in Scotland in 2000.
• Data were collected on job satisfaction, daily work, and future career and retirement plans.

Main Results:

• A high response rate (70%) was achieved, with 1,335 GDPs and 187 CDPs surveyed.
• While most dentists enjoyed their work, 35% of GDPs would not choose dentistry again, and 70% reported daily demotivation.
• Significant proportions of dentists, particularly CDPs, felt underused, and many GDPs planned early retirement, with a substantial number considering part-time work.

Conclusions:

• Current working conditions in primary care dentistry need modification to improve workforce retention.
• Addressing job dissatisfaction and the "NHS treadmill" is essential.
• Flexible working arrangements, such as part-time roles, could encourage practitioners to extend their careers and accommodate personal needs.