TY - JOUR
T1 - Career aspirations of dually trained dental therapy and dental hygiene students from one London dental institute
AU - Belsi, Athina
AU - Ghotane, Swapnil
AU - Asimakopoulou, Koula
AU - E. Gallagher, Jennifer
PY - 2024/6/21
Y1 - 2024/6/21
N2 - Dental therapists (DTs) and dental hygienists (DHs) are playing an increasingly important role in the UK dental workforce; however, little is known about students' expectations regarding their professional career, despite the importance of workforce retention within dentistry. The aim was to explore career expectations of dually trained dental therapy and dental hygiene students from one London dental institute. A mixed methods approach was used including a self-completion questionnaire and focus group discussions for students in their final year of training. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS v.20 and qualitative data using framework methodology. A response of 82% (n = 56) was achieved for the questionnaire survey. Six focus groups were conducted (n = 30). Most students (95%; n = 53) reported being certain about their career plans, anticipating working in a mixed system (state/private care; 79%; n = 44) and providing primary dental care (73%; n = 41). In the longer-term, over two thirds (71%, n = 40) anticipated working full time with an average of eight sessions per week. Almost all (96%, n = 54) aspired to work in both dental hygiene and therapy with a ratio of three days hygiene: two days therapy per week. Long term career preferences were influenced by four main drivers: ‘market needs'; ‘job availability'; ‘minimising commuting'; and ‘personal circumstances'. The most important influences on career choices overall were ‘financial stability' (88%; n = 49), ‘balance between life and work' (82%; n = 46), ‘good lifestyle' (80%; n = 44) and ‘gaining professional experience' (64%; n = 36). The findings suggest that these students from one dental school appear committed to a career in dentistry with expectations of achieving financial security, meeting personal goals, and achieving career progression.
AB - Dental therapists (DTs) and dental hygienists (DHs) are playing an increasingly important role in the UK dental workforce; however, little is known about students' expectations regarding their professional career, despite the importance of workforce retention within dentistry. The aim was to explore career expectations of dually trained dental therapy and dental hygiene students from one London dental institute. A mixed methods approach was used including a self-completion questionnaire and focus group discussions for students in their final year of training. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS v.20 and qualitative data using framework methodology. A response of 82% (n = 56) was achieved for the questionnaire survey. Six focus groups were conducted (n = 30). Most students (95%; n = 53) reported being certain about their career plans, anticipating working in a mixed system (state/private care; 79%; n = 44) and providing primary dental care (73%; n = 41). In the longer-term, over two thirds (71%, n = 40) anticipated working full time with an average of eight sessions per week. Almost all (96%, n = 54) aspired to work in both dental hygiene and therapy with a ratio of three days hygiene: two days therapy per week. Long term career preferences were influenced by four main drivers: ‘market needs'; ‘job availability'; ‘minimising commuting'; and ‘personal circumstances'. The most important influences on career choices overall were ‘financial stability' (88%; n = 49), ‘balance between life and work' (82%; n = 46), ‘good lifestyle' (80%; n = 44) and ‘gaining professional experience' (64%; n = 36). The findings suggest that these students from one dental school appear committed to a career in dentistry with expectations of achieving financial security, meeting personal goals, and achieving career progression.
U2 - 10.1038/s41407-024-2691-2
DO - 10.1038/s41407-024-2691-2
M3 - Article
SN - 2054-7617
VL - 11
SP - 252
EP - 259
JO - BDJ Team
JF - BDJ Team
IS - 6
ER -