# Dental careers: findings of a national dental workforce survey

## TL;DR

Many UK dentists find their careers have changed from what they originally planned, with career satisfaction linked to following initial expectations.

## Contribution

This study provides new insights into career satisfaction and changes among UK dentists using a national survey.

## Key findings

- Over half of dentists reported changes in their career plans during their working life.
- Dentists whose careers followed their initial plans reported higher job satisfaction.
- Career trajectories were significantly associated with factors like sex, ethnicity, and job roles.

## Abstract

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..

Zusatzmaterial online: Zu diesem Beitrag sind unter 10.1038/s41415-024-8234-6 für autorisierte Leser zusätzliche Dateien abrufbar.

Many dentists' careers do not follow the path they originally intended, with over half of participants reporting changes in their career plans. This shows that career development within dentistry can be fluid.Dentists whose careers followed their initial plans experienced higher career satisfaction. This highlights the importance of realistic career expectations for long-term job fulfilment.Many factors can influence career satisfaction and trajectory, such as sex, ethnicity and job roles; however, there is a need to facilitate careers for those in remote/rural areas and for women.Adaptability and openness to career changes are crucial to career satisfaction and growth as many dentists have either changed their career plans or plan to in the future.

Many dentists' careers do not follow the path they originally intended, with over half of participants reporting changes in their career plans. This shows that career development within dentistry can be fluid.

Dentists whose careers followed their initial plans experienced higher career satisfaction. This highlights the importance of realistic career expectations for long-term job fulfilment.

Many factors can influence career satisfaction and trajectory, such as sex, ethnicity and job roles; however, there is a need to facilitate careers for those in remote/rural areas and for women.

Adaptability and openness to career changes are crucial to career satisfaction and growth as many dentists have either changed their career plans or plan to in the future.

Zusatzmaterial online: Zu diesem Beitrag sind unter 10.1038/s41415-024-8234-6 für autorisierte Leser zusätzliche Dateien abrufbar.