Changes in control systems assessed by publicly employed dentists in comparison with other professionals

In the public service sector in Sweden, including dentistry, changes in management control systems have occurred. The extent and content of such self-assessed changes are described and analyzed for dentists in relation to other academicians. A questionnaire was answered by 306 dentists in the Public Dental Health Service and 3600 other academicians in Sweden. The response rate was 67%-77%. Three areas of change were found in factor analysis: management by objectives, by dialogue, and by hierarchy. In logistic regression models, dentists reported fivefold increases in management by objectives as compared with other academicians. Reported increases in management by dialogue were less for dentists. Having a female supervisor was related to increase of management by hierarchy. It is concluded that clear changes in management style have occurred and that dentists are notable for increase of management by objectives.