High job satisfaction among orthodontic therapists: a UK workforce survey

Health and Wellbeing of Clinical Dental Care Professionals: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

There has been much research relating to stressors in the dental environment and concerns over dentists' health and wellbeing. The determinants of dentists' health and wellbeing within the UK include macro-factors, such as healthcare systems and regulation; meso-factors, such as job specification and workplace characteristics; and micro-factors, such as personal aspects, professional career level, and personal and professional relationships. Given the challenges in dentistry, research is needed to investigate the key determinants relating to the health and wellbeing of clinical dental care professionals (DCPs) nationally.

AIM

To review the literature on the key determinants of health and wellbeing among dental hygienists, dental therapists, clinical dental technicians, and orthodontic therapists in the UK.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted across seven databases. The records were screened by title, abstract and full text based on the study inclusion criteria. Extraction of data and a qualitative synthesis of the included studies was performed. A mixed methods appraisal tool was used to quality assess for risk of bias.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included in this review, eleven of which were medium to high quality (5*, 4*) and one low quality (2*). Ten studies focused on dental therapists, and/or hygienists, with only one each on orthodontic therapists and clinical dental technicians. Job satisfaction and professional careers were the primary factors explored in the included studies and clearly identified as determinants of health and wellbeing. However, there was evidence of these being associated and linked with a range of determinants at macro-, meso-, and micro-levels, with a general lack of evidence on the overall health and wellbeing.

CONCLUSION

There is currently very limited evidence on the key determinants of health and wellbeing of clinical DCPs within the UK, but the available evidence maps to the same domains as dentists. Further well conducted research examining the overall health and wellbeing is required, with consideration of the full matrix of possible factors.

Malaysian dental therapists' job motivation, job satisfaction, intention to leave and perceived future roles

OBJECTIVE

To assess Malaysian dental therapists' job satisfaction, motivation, turnover intention, and perceived future roles, following recent changes in the regulations that allow them to provide dental care within their scope of practice in the private sector.

METHODS

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to public dental therapists who were selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Questions included items on social structure, job satisfaction and motivation (based on the Warr-Cook-Wall scale), turnover intention (based on four cognitive processes) and perceived future roles. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of dental therapists' turnover intention.

RESULTS

Overall, a majority (> 90%) of participants had high job satisfaction and job motivation, with total mean scores of 45.70 ± 6.86 and 21.16 ± 2.63, respectively. A total of 8.3% intended to leave the public sector to work in a different organisation. Of those who chose to remain as a dental therapist in the next five years, only 7% considered working in the private sector. The significant predictors for turnover intention were educational attainment, years of working experience, job satisfaction level and future preferred working sector.

CONCLUSION

Although the newly introduced Dental Act allows dental therapists to expand their roles to the private setting, very few intended to do so. This could be related to them having a high level of job satisfaction and job motivation while serving in the public sector.

Orthodontic therapy teaching review at Trinity College Dublin

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this teaching review was to obtain feedback from graduates of the Orthodontic Therapy course from the School of Dental Science, Trinity College Dublin, which was established in 2014.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A focus group, comprising of one to two graduates from each of the five years of the orthodontic therapy course, convened to obtain feedback. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the feedback transcribed from the focus group.

RESULTS

Multiple themes emerged including enthusiasm, commitment, educational support, peer support and satisfaction. The graduates found the course challenging but very rewarding, helped by support from the university, mentors and peers. Satisfaction was very high from all participants with 100% reporting they would recommend the course. Suggestions emerged regarding the delivery of specific didactic components of the course and increased engagement with the specialist orthodontic mentors to ensure teaching is standardised for all trainees.

CONCLUSION

The course is rated very highly by the graduates and completion of this training has had a positive impact on their job satisfaction. Members of the focus group provided constructive feedback on the delivery of the course, which will contribute to its refinement for future trainees.