Compressed 4-day workweek for dental faculty retention and recruitment

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Workforce Development
• Academic Medicine

Background:

• Dental schools face significant faculty shortages impacting clinical training and patient care.
• The existing faculty shortage exacerbates challenges in accessing dental services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a compressed 4-day workweek as a strategy to improve faculty recruitment, retention, and well-being in dental institutions.
• To explore the potential benefits and challenges of implementing a 4-day workweek in academic dentistry.

Main Methods:

• This perspective piece discusses the implementation of a 4-day workweek in dental institutions.
• It reviews documented benefits of compressed workweeks on employee wellness and job satisfaction.

Main Results:

• A 4-day workweek offers benefits such as improved employee wellness, increased job satisfaction, and reduced burnout.
• Potential cost savings for employees and institutions may be realized.

Conclusions:

• Implementing a 4-day workweek can serve as a valuable incentive for attracting and retaining dental faculty.
• This model is recommended to address the national shortage of clinical faculty and support academic dentistry.