Growing number of dentists wouldn’t recommend dentistry

dentistry
71% of dentists would choose dentistry if they could start over again, a new survey has shown

Half of dentists wouldn’t recommend going into dentistry to their friends and family, a new survey has found.

The survey, carried out by Wesleyan, has found 50% of dentists wouldn’t recommend their career, compared with 31% in 2014, and 81% of dentists believe the cost of education and training along with changes to pay and working conditions will put off future generations from dentistry.

‘There are huge stresses in the dental profession and great unhappiness, even fear, regarding our regulator, not to mention an uncertain NHS future,’ Judith Husband, member of Wesleyan’s members advisory board, said.

‘More than half of dentists in England and Wales are associates and, because of the massive rise in the value of practices, it is becoming increasingly difficult for those with an ambition to own their own practice to actually achieve this.

‘However, practising dentistry and looking after patients remains a rewarding career with lots of varied opportunities and I would consider myself one of those who would recommend it to the next generation.’

A career in dentistry

Just under three quarters (71%) of dentists would choose the same career if they could start over again.

Respondents were asked what they were most concerned about over the next five years and the new NHS dental contract was the biggest worry for 60% of dentists, the rising cost of being a dentist was second for 58% of dentists and 36% were concerned with changes to the NHS Pension Scheme.

‘Our research shows dentists have some major concerns about changes taking place in the profession,’ Alan Whiting, Wesleyan group head of marketing, concluded.

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