S Turner1, M K Ross, R J Ibbetson. 1. Edinburgh Postgraduate Dental Institute, University of Edinburgh, 4th Floor, Lauriston Building, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9HA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of GDC registration and mandatory CPD on dental nurses' views, job satisfaction and intention to leave. DESIGN: Postal/online survey, conducted in parallel with a survey of dental technicians. SETTING: UK private and NHS practices, community services, dental hospitals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Representative sample of General Dental Council registrants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Job satisfaction; intention to leave profession (dependent variable in regression analysis). RESULTS: Eleven were ineligible (left profession, moved abroad); 267 (44% of those eligible) responded, all female. Respondents' mean age was 38.2 years (sd 10.74). The general principle of registration was endorsed by 67%, and compulsory registration by 51%, but the fee level by only 6%. Most nurses did not feel that registration had affected their view of dental nursing as a career (56%), their role (74%) or status (86%) within the dental team, or that CPD helped them to do their job better (76%). Fifty-six percent were not satisfied with their job, and 22% intended to leave the profession. Intention to leave was predicted by younger age and greater dissatisfaction with physical working conditions and opportunities to progress. CONCLUSIONS: Widely held criticisms regarding the costs and relevance of registration and CPD coupled with a potentially high level of attrition from the profession suggest a review of the fee and salary structure and greater financial support for CPD is warranted.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of GDC registration and mandatory CPD on dental nurses' views, job satisfaction and intention to leave. DESIGN: Postal/online survey, conducted in parallel with a survey of dental technicians. SETTING: UK private and NHS practices, community services, dental hospitals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Representative sample of General Dental Council registrants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Job satisfaction; intention to leave profession (dependent variable in regression analysis). RESULTS: Eleven were ineligible (left profession, moved abroad); 267 (44% of those eligible) responded, all female. Respondents' mean age was 38.2 years (sd 10.74). The general principle of registration was endorsed by 67%, and compulsory registration by 51%, but the fee level by only 6%. Most nurses did not feel that registration had affected their view of dental nursing as a career (56%), their role (74%) or status (86%) within the dental team, or that CPD helped them to do their job better (76%). Fifty-six percent were not satisfied with their job, and 22% intended to leave the profession. Intention to leave was predicted by younger age and greater dissatisfaction with physical working conditions and opportunities to progress. CONCLUSIONS: Widely held criticisms regarding the costs and relevance of registration and CPD coupled with a potentially high level of attrition from the profession suggest a review of the fee and salary structure and greater financial support for CPD is warranted.