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Stormon N, Beckett D, Gardner S, Keshoor S, Smart K, Wallace L, Ford PJ, Satur J, Eley D. Empathetic, persistent and female: A snapshot of oral health therapy students in Australia and New Zealand. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPE 2022; 26:206-215. [PMID: 33977616 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dental therapists, hygienists and oral health therapists constitute up to a third of the dental workforce in Australia and New Zealand. Personality is often explored in health professions to provide insights into traits that are conducive to workforce retention and to assist in planning and training. This study aimed to investigate the current demographic and personality characteristics of oral health students in Australia and New Zealand. MATERIALS AND METHODS Students in years one to three of all eight undergraduate Bachelor of Oral Health programs in Australia and New Zealand were invited to complete an online survey. The survey measured activities prior to entering into oral health, career intentions and included a personality questionnaire, the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). RESULTS Three quarters of participants (n = 336; 30% response rate; females = 90%) were single, from an urban area and 20-29 years of age. Oral health students overall portrayed high trait levels of Persistence and Cooperativeness. Cluster analysis of TCI traits identified three groups. Groups of students with high Persistence and Cooperativeness tended to be older, were working in non-dental and dental careers prior to their degree and were interested in working in regional areas after graduation. CONCLUSIONS Students with high levels of persistence and cooperativeness were interested in working in regional areas after graduation, highlighting the importance of industriousness and persistence in overcoming barriers to practicing in regional areas. Further research is warranted to investigate barriers and enablers in recruitment and retention of males in a primarily female dominated profession.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Stormon
- The University of Queensland, School of Dentistry, UQ Oral Health Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Deanna Beckett
- Department of Oral Sciences, School of Dentistry, The University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Suzanne Gardner
- Adelaide Dental School, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Smita Keshoor
- Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Karen Smart
- Central Queensland University, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Linda Wallace
- Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Ourimbah, NSW, Australia
| | - Pauline J Ford
- The University of Queensland, School of Dentistry, UQ Oral Health Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Julie Satur
- Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Diann Eley
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Johnson G, Foster K, Blinkhorn A, Clive Wright FA. Rural clinical school dental graduates views on rural and metropolitan employment. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPE 2020; 24:741-752. [PMID: 32602995 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a maldistribution of dental professionals working in rural and remote regions of Australia. This study investigates dental graduates from a newly established rural clinical school (RCS) at Charles Sturt University (CSU), New South Wales, Australia, and records graduates' workforce locations and views on working in both metropolitan and rural practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS In late 2015 to early 2016, CSU graduates of 2013 and 2014 were asked to complete a telephone interview related to their employment choices. Thirty-nine interviews (68% of contactable graduates) were completed. Qualitative framework analysis was applied to identify trends and themes. RESULTS More than half of the graduates were working rurally, with 67% working full-time and 77% in private practice. Key influencing factors on graduates related to rural employment were as follows: family and personal relationships, developing clinical skills, rural community, lifestyle, professional support, mentorship, job availability, full-time employment and financial incentives. Key barriers to working rurally included leaving family and friends, small patient base, low salary, partner factors, and professional and personal isolation. CONCLUSION More than half of the CSU graduates were working in rural communities, demonstrating initially positive rural workforce outcomes. Reasons for choosing to work rurally were complex and spanned a broad spectrum of social, personal, professional development and support, community, economic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Future workforce strategies should apply a broad multifactorial approach to consider the complex interrelated employment factors. Furthermore, increased evaluation is required of the CSU programme, with increased workforce outcomes and exploration of employment retention factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Johnson
- Sydney Institute for Women, Children and their Families, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kirsty Foster
- Office of Medical Education, Mayne Medical School, University of Queensland, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Anthony Blinkhorn
- Population Oral Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Fredrick A Clive Wright
- Centre for Education and Research on Ageing, Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Gabriel M, Cayetano M, Galante M, Carrer F, Dussault G, Araujo M. A Global Overview of the Geographical Distribution of Dentists: A Scoping Review. JDR Clin Trans Res 2018; 3:229-237. [DOI: 10.1177/2380084418774316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify and analyze the geographic distribution of dentists, in the global context, through available scientific evidence, highlighting the following aspects: 1) the determinants of the geographic distribution of dentists, 2) corrective intervention implemented, and 3) their monitoring and evaluation. A scoping review of the published and gray literature was carried out in scientific databases and in relevant websites. We used an adaptation of a World Health Organization framework to study the distribution of human resources in health to analyze selected publications. After applying the eligibility criteria, 53 publications were included in the review; 10 related to the determinants of geographical distribution, 5 to interventions implemented, and 38 to the monitoring and evaluation process. More studies are needed to identify local determinants of the geographical distribution of dentists and to define adapted intervention strategies to make it more equitable. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The geographic inequality of dentists is a problem for health systems because it has a direct impact on access to services and the oral health conditions of a population. Our study was based on a theoretical conceptual framework formulated in 3 components: 1) determinants of the geographical distribution, 2) strategies implemented to correct the problem, and 3) monitoring and evaluation. It can assist in designing oral health policy and guide decisions by policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Gabriel
- Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - M.H. Cayetano
- Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - M.L. Galante
- Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - F.C. Carrer
- Department of Community Dentistry, Discipline of Expanded Clinic of Health Promotion, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo
- Ibero-american Observatory of Public Policies in Oral Health, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - G. Dussault
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Institute, New University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - M.E. Araujo
- Department of Community Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo-SP, Brazil
- Observatory for Oral Health Human Resources (OBSERVARHODONTO), São Paulo-SP, Brazil
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Godwin D, Blizzard L, Hoang H, Crocombe L. Evidence of the effect of rural background on rural practise in Australian dental practitioners: Does gender play a role? Aust Dent J 2016; 62:30-38. [PMID: 27459646 DOI: 10.1111/adj.12442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People residing outside the capital cities have poorer oral health than their city counterparts. Health workforce shortages and stability issues can have negative health effects on rural populations. There has been an increasing proportion of women entering the dental practitioner workforce in Australia. This study investigated whether dental practitioners who have a rural background are more likely to work in a rural area than those who do not have a rural background; and whether the gender of dental practitioners plays a role. METHODS A self-administered questionnaire was sent to a sample of dental practitioners via their professional dental associations. Practice location was assigned as either 'urban' or 'rural' using the Australian Standard Geographical Classification - Remoteness Area categories and measured with demographic characteristics of the respondents. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated using Poisson regression with robust standard errors. RESULTS Participants with a rural background were more than twice as likely (male PR = 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.79-6.26; female PR = 2.82, 95% CI = 1.35-5.87) to practise in a rural area than those with an urban background. CONCLUSIONS Dental practitioners with rural backgrounds were more than twice as likely to work in a rural practice as their urban counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Godwin
- Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - L Blizzard
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - H Hoang
- Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - L Crocombe
- Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Godwin D, Hoang H, Crocombe L. Views of Australian dental practitioners towards rural recruitment and retention: a descriptive study. BMC Oral Health 2016; 16:63. [PMID: 27251191 PMCID: PMC4888206 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-016-0221-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite an increase in the supply of dental practitioners in Australia in recent years, there remains an unequal distribution of dental practitioners with more dental practitioners working in city areas. This is in part due to difficulties in attracting and retaining dental practitioners to rural practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of Australian dental practitioners towards what may attract them to rural areas and why they may remain in them. Method A descriptive study, utilising telephone, semi-structured interviews with dental practitioners across Australia. Dental practitioners were recruited through their professional associations. Data were analysed using content and thematic analysis. Results Fifty participants; 34 dentists, eight oral health therapists, and eight dental prosthetists working in rural and urban areas of Australia. Four main themes were identified: Business Case: concerns related to income and employment security, Differences in Clinical Practices: differences in clinical treatments and professional work, Community: fitting in and belonging in the area in which you live and work, and Individual Factors: local area provision for lifestyle choices and circumstances. The most influential of these themes were business case and individual factors. Smaller rural areas, due to low populations and being unable to provide individuals with their lifestyle needs were considered unappealing for dental practitioners to live. Previous experience of rural areas was highly influential. Conclusions The main factors influencing rural recruitment and retention were income sustainability and employment security, and individual factors. Dental practitioners felt that it was harder to earn a sustainable income and provide quality lifestyles for their family in rural areas. Previous experience of rural areas was influential towards long-term rural retention. These factors should be considered in order to develop effective strategies to address the unequal distribution of dental practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Godwin
- Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Ha Hoang
- Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Leonard Crocombe
- Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.,Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Patel J, Hearn L, Slack-Smith LM. Oral health care in remote Kimberley Aboriginal communities: the characteristics and perceptions of dental volunteers. Aust Dent J 2015; 60:328-35. [DOI: 10.1111/adj.12240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J Patel
- School of Dentistry; The University of Western Australia; Perth Western Australia
| | - L Hearn
- School of Dentistry; The University of Western Australia; Perth Western Australia
| | - LM Slack-Smith
- School of Dentistry; The University of Western Australia; Perth Western Australia
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Freeman R, Lush C, MacGillveray S, Themessl-Huber M, Richards D. Dental therapists/hygienists working in remote-rural primary care: a structured review of effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, acceptability and affordability. Int Dent J 2013; 63:103-112. [PMID: 23550524 PMCID: PMC9374983 DOI: 10.1111/idj.12025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To examine the use of dental therapist/hygienists to provide primary dental treatment in remote-rural areas with regard to their effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, acceptability and costs (affordability). METHOD The structured literature review of studies indexed in Medline, Embase and CinAHL was conducted using search terms relevant to 'dental therapists' and 'remote-rural'. Remote-rural was defined as 'those (individuals) with a greater than 30-minute drive time to the nearest settlement with a population of greater than 10,000'. RESULTS From 1,175 publications screened, 21 studies from 19 publications were initially included. Only seven studies were included that explicitly focused on remote-rural areas. Four were surveys and three were qualitative studies. All of the included studies were reported within the last 7 years. The methodological quality of the surveys varied, particularly with regard to their response rates. All three of the qualitative studies were assessed as potentially weak methodologies. Regarding the research question, none of the studies included provided data relevant to understanding efficiency, cost issues or the acceptability of dental therapists. The available empirical evidence contained only indirect indicators about the sustainability of dental therapy in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS The available data indicates that dental therapist/hygienists have suitable skills and could constitute a valuable asset to meet the dental demands in remote-rural areas. However, the evidence base is limited and of a poor quality. There is a need to put in place 'well-designed interventions with robust evaluation to examine cost-effectiveness and benefits to patients and the health workforce'.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Workforce development is acritical factor allowing delivery on government health priorities. Against a backdrop of increasingdemand for dental therapists being significantly higher than the levels of recruitment, it is widely acknowledged that rural and remote areas (having greater recruitment and retention issues) will face significant shortfall in therapist numbers as the workforce shortages take hold in dentistry. This study analysed the reasons for dental therapists leaving the profession, and factors that would promote the recruitment and retention of dental therapists, especially in rural and remote areas. METHODS A postal survey was undertaken amongst all registered dental therapists in Western Australia between the years 1999-2003. RESULTS Of all respondents, 28 per cent indicated that they do not work as dental therapists anymore. A number of reasons for leaving the profession were highlighted, including family reasons, careerchange, poor salaries, relocation, illness and injury, and stress. To increase retention and recruitment of dental therapists to rural areas, a number of opportunities were highlighted by respondents, including increased salaries, living support, travel assistance, access to continuing education, recruitment of more rural students and more flexibility (including job sharing). CONCLUSION This survey has highlighted various opportunities to recruit and retain dental therapists in their profession and to increase the numbers of rural dental therapists. A broad integrated rural retention strategy is necessary to address these issues among the dental therapy workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kruger
- The Centre for Rural and Remote Oral Health, University of Western Australia, Crawley.
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Cane R, Walker J. Rural public dental practice in Australia: Perspectives of Tasmanian government-employed dentists. Aust J Rural Health 2007; 15:257-63. [PMID: 17617090 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1584.2007.00898.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study sought to describe the perspectives of dentists providing public dental care in the Australian rural state of Tasmania. It sought information on a range of subjects, such as interactions with patients, as a component of baseline studies to improve models of public dental clinical services. It was conducted through a unique partnership between the University of Tasmania (Department of Rural Health) and the State government. DESIGN Semistructured face-to-face interviews. Qualitative methods guided collection and analysis with the application of grounded theory as a basis for developing explanatory thematic frameworks. SETTING Four regional public dental centres in Tasmania. PARTICIPANTS Government-employed dentists. RESULTS Three main themes emerged. (i) Wanting autonomy in clinical decisions, although this was often difficult to achieve in the existing circumstances; (ii) social interactive aspects of care, which were related to the dentists' perceptions of the patients' level of interest in oral health; and (iii) the level of demand for urgent episodic care, which was very difficult to manage in the light of the workforce shortage and was seen to impact on continuity of care, efficiency and integration with other health services. CONCLUSIONS There are strong indications that expanding the capacity and the flexibility of the workforce will contribute to improved interactions with patients and improve access to a broader range of dental care within public-sector clinical services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary Cane
- University Department of Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2002, the Centre for Rural and Remote Oral Health (CRROH) completed a rural oral health workforce survey which indicated that a high number of therapists, although registered, were not working as therapists. The aim of the present study was to develop a profile of the dental therapy workforce and analyse the perceptions of therapists. METHODS In 2004, a postal questionnaire survey was undertaken amongst all registered dental and school dental therapists for 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. RESULTS Valid information was obtained from 253 therapists (55 per cent response rate). The therapy workforce are almost exclusively female, have an average age of 40 years, are working in urban areas, obtained their qualification on average 20 years ago, work for the School Dental Service and qualified in Western Australia. More than a quarter no longer worked as therapists. Perceptions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of dental therapy as a career were identified. CONCLUSIONS When trying to promote dental therapy and school dental therapy as a career, retain therapists and recruit new graduates, the opportunities identified in this survey should be embraced. A clear focus on the issues will be required to facilitate meeting the workforce objectives as outlined in Australia's National Oral Health Plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kruger
- The Centre for Rural and Remote Oral Health, The University of Western Australia.
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Mariño RJ, Morgan MV, Winning T, Thomson WM, Marshall RI, Gotjamanos T, Evans W. Sociodemographic Backgrounds and Career Decisions of Australian and New Zealand Dental Students. J Dent Educ 2006. [DOI: 10.1002/j.0022-0337.2006.70.2.tb04073.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo J. Mariño
- Cooperative Research Centre in Oral Health Science; University of Melbourne; Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Theo Gotjamanos
- School of Dentistry; University of Western Australia; Australia
| | - Wendell Evans
- Faculty of Dentistry; University of Sydney; Australia
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