Dental careers: findings of a national dental workforce survey

Aim To explore dentists' experiences of their professional careers and job satisfaction within the United Kingdom (UK) workforce.Methods A cross-sectional survey of the national dentist workforce was conducted using an online questionnaire, informed by previous research. The anonymous online survey was conducted between February and May 2021, with ethical approval, via national gatekeeper institutions, and promoted through social media. Statistical analysis of the data was performed in SPSS.Results Of the 1,240 respondents, 875 had completed 96% of the questionnaire, including providing demographic details, and were included for analysis. Almost half (46%) reported their career was 'not as envisaged'. A majority (58%) of dentists reported that their career plans had changed and 40.2% reported planning on changing careers. Significant associations were found between an individual's career plan trajectories ('as envisaged', 'changed plan' and 'planning on changing') and sex, ethnicity, job satisfaction, primary role settings, country qualification was obtained and duration of working experience. Men were significantly more likely to report their career was as envisaged. Job satisfaction was higher for those whose careers were as envisaged and had no plans for future changes.Conclusions Careers were not necessarily as envisaged, with over half of the dentists surveyed changing their career plans over their working life. There was greater satisfaction among those whose careers were envisaged and had experienced career progression..