Vacant posts reported in dental practice: implications for human resource planning.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the proportion of dental practitioners who report vacancies within their dental practice for the following: dental surgeons, dental hygienists, dental nurses and dental receptionists. To determine the proportion of dental practitioners working in general dental practice who would consider employing a dental therapist.


METHODS
Analysis of data from the British Dental Association Omnibus Survey 2000. The sample comprised 992 qualified dentists in all fields of practice.


RESULTS
The most commonly reported vacancies were for dental surgeons (18% of practitioners reported vacancies), dental nurses (17%) and dental hygienists (12%). Approximately 46% of general dental practitioners reported that they would employ a dental therapist if legislation permitted. The main reason for not employing a dental therapist was insufficient space in the dental practice.


CONCLUSIONS
A large number of vacancies exist for dental surgeons, dental nurses and dental hygienists in the United Kingdom. Around half of dental practices express an interest in employing dental therapists should legislation permit.
Newton
J T
JT
Department of Dental Public Health and Oral Health Services Research, GKT Dental Institute, Guy's Hospital, London. tim.newton@kcl.ac.uk
Gibbons
D E
DE
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003726:Dental Assistants / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003727:Dental Auxiliaries / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003815:Dentists / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006285:Health Planning; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010559:Personnel Management; D011215:Practice Management, Dental; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce