A national survey of dental technicians: career development, professional status and job satisfaction

Objective To investigate the career development, perception of status within the dental team, and level of job satisfaction of dental technicians in the United Kingdom. Design Cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey of 1,650 dental technicians registered with the Dental Technicians Association. Replies were received from 996 (60%). Results Eighty two per cent respondents had a qualification in dental technology and 21% also had an advanced level qualification. Almost two thirds of the respondents had undertaken no verifiable continuing professional development in the previous year. Only 27% of respondents expected to develop their career over the next five years. Less than 50% of the respondents felt adequately valued as individuals and as a professional group in the dental team. Job satisfaction was significantly related to age, attendance at one or more courses in the last year, working shorter hours, feeling valued in the dental team, and future career plans. Conclusions Plans for the registration and role expansion of dental technicians provide opportunities for career development which have yet to be realised. The low levels of continuing professional development currently undertaken indicate the need for a review of the provision and funding of training at a strategic level. Whilst levels of job satisfaction are satisfactory, many dental technicians feel insufficiently valued in the dental team.