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Dental associates' perceptions of their working environment: a qualitative study
Ellena O'Selmo1, Victoria Collin1, Penny Whitehead1
1British Dental Association, Policy and Research, 64 Wimpole Street, London, UK.
British Dental Journal
|June 30, 2019
Summary
Dental associates
Area of Science:
- Dental practice management
- Professional autonomy in dentistry
- Workplace psychology in healthcare
Background:
- Understanding the experiences of dental associates is crucial for improving the dental profession.
- Previous research has not fully explored the relationship between dental associates' work environment and their professional experiences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the working experiences of dental associates.
- To investigate how the working environment influences dental associates' professional autonomy and job satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative methodology utilizing semi-structured interviews with 11 dental associates in the UK.
- Deductive thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify key themes.
Main Results:
- Three core themes emerged: 'conditions' (work environment perception), 'drivers' (factors influencing conditions), and 'effects' (impact on associates).
- Significant differences in decision-making and financial autonomy were observed between associates in corporate versus independent practices.
- Governance issues, including NHS contracts and General Dental Council actions, negatively impacted associates.
Conclusions:
- Dental associates face sector-specific challenges impacting autonomy and job satisfaction.
- Workplace environment factors, influenced by governance and practice type, are key drivers of associate experiences.
- Social psychology theories can explain how these environmental factors contribute to changes within the dental profession.
