Job satisfaction among stayers and leavers of dental group practices in The Netherlands

Working in group dental practices has increased during the last few decades. In the present study all the dentists (n = 82) who had participated in group practices in the Netherlands for at least 10 years were interviewed and questioned about the nature of their practices, their working conditions and their 'job satisfaction'. Most of them (78 per cent) had a second appointment, besides that in the group practice. During the past 10 years 32 per cent of the dentists had left the group practice because of personal conflicts, the wish to change to solo practice or a different appointment, organisational problems, or dissatisfaction with practice space. Eighty-two per cent of them declared that they were, in general, (very) satisfied with their work; these included 94 per cent of the 'stayers' and 63 per cent of the 'leavers'. The main motives for joining a group practice rather than working in a solo practice were: being less isolated, having the possibility of mutual consultation, the stimulation of working with colleagues, and the more efficient use of staff and equipment. These motives were satisfactorily realised, according to the 'stayers'; and 'leavers' scored less favourably, but still at a high level. The same picture was also seen in the other features studied; the 'stayers' were very satisfied with their working conditions and the future possibilities of the group practice, while the 'leavers' reacted less positively, but, on average, not negatively.