Dataset Information

Development and retention of the dental workforce: findings from a regional workforce survey and symposium in England.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To help promote a flexible and sustainable workforce in dentistry, it is necessary to access accurate and timely data about the structure and nature of the evolving dental team. This paper considers the results and learning from a region-wide dental workforce survey conducted in one area of Health Education England and how the team has changed since the last survey a decade earlier.

Methods

A mixed-methods approach comprised two phases. In Phase 1 a customised workforce questionnaire was sent to all dental practices registered with the Care Quality Commission in the North East of England and North Cumbria in March 2016. Findings then informed Phase 2, a regional symposium held in October 2016, where interactive workshops generated qualitative data that elaborated on factors influencing workforce development.

Results

Of 431 primary dental care practices identified, 228 questionnaires were returned - a 53% response rate. The largest professional groups were dental nurses (n?=?1269, 53% by headcount; 50% of fte) and dentists (34% by headcount; 42% by fte), though there had been increases in numbers of all staff groups over the decade, which was most marked for dental therapists (from 1 per 39 dentists to 1 per 8 dentists). The dental team predominantly fell into 'younger' age groups (ConclusionsThe composition and work patterns of the primary care dental workforce have changed markedly over the last decade, though utilisation of skill-mix continues to be constrained. Consideration of factors determining career progression of dentists and dental care professionals is needed to optimise a sustainable future workforce.

SUBMITTER: Holmes RD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7099783 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Development and retention of the dental workforce: findings from a regional workforce survey and symposium in England.

Holmes Richard D RD Burford Bryan B Vance Gillian G

BMC health services research 20200326 1

<h4>Background</h4>To help promote a flexible and sustainable workforce in dentistry, it is necessary to access accurate and timely data about the structure and nature of the evolving dental team. This paper considers the results and learning from a region-wide dental workforce survey conducted in one area of Health Education England and how the team has changed since the last survey a decade earlier.<h4>Methods</h4>A mixed-methods approach comprised two phases. In Phase 1 a customised workforce ...[more]

PMID: 32216779

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Dataset Information

Development and retention of the dental workforce: findings from a regional workforce survey and symposium in England.

Background

Methods

Results

Publications

Development and retention of the dental workforce: findings from a regional workforce survey and symposium in England.

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