A comparison of career satisfaction amongst dental healthcare professionals across three health care systems: comparison of data from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Trinidad & Tobago.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare the expressed levels of career satisfaction of three groups of comparable dental healthcare professionals, working in Trinidad, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.


METHODS
Three questionnaire surveys were carried out of comparable dental healthcare professionals. Dental nurses in Trinidad and dental therapists in the UK and New Zealand. Questionnaires were sent to all registered dental nurses or dental therapists.


RESULTS
Career satisfaction was lowest amongst Dental Therapists working in Trinidad and Tobago. Approximately 59% of the Therapists working in New Zealand reported stated that they felt they were not a valued member of the dental team, the corresponding proportion in the United Kingdom was 32%, and for Trinidad 39%.


CONCLUSIONS
Dental therapists working in different healthcare systems report different levels of satisfaction with their career.
Naidu
Rahul
R
School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. rahul@trinidad.ne
Newton
J Tim
JT
Ayers
Katie
K
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D003726:Dental Assistants / Q000523:psychology*; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000523:psychology*; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago; D006113:United Kingdom