Abstract
Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the career plan, work experience and career aspirations of dental house surgeons in New Zealand: why they apply, what they do and where to next?
Methods: An online survey was sent to all current (2020) full-time employed dental house surgeons via email to their work email address in November 2020. The questionnaire comprised 28 questions and was grouped into 3 main areas, including (1) factors that influenced those who are currently dental house surgeons to apply; (2) work experiences of current first-and second-year dental house surgeons; and (3) the career aspirations of current first-and second-year dental house surgeons.
Results: There was a 97% response rate. The male-to-female ratio was 1:2, with an average age of 25.7 years. Working with Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMS) motivated 94% of participants. All participants provided services for 'dental clearance' referrals, dental extractions and consultations with OMS. More than half (62%) of the participants believed the salary was adequate. On-call rosters varied between District Health Boards. Females found it more stressful than males when they answered the on-call phone (p < 0.05; 95% CI −2.83, −0.02) and provided acute treatment while on-call (p < 0.05; 95% CI −3.02, −0.17). All participants reported enjoying the experience of being a dental house surgeon, and most of them would recommend it to future dentistry graduates. Almost half said they would like to pursue a dental specialty in the future.
Conclusions: The main motivation for working as dental house surgeons in a hospital environment was to gain valuable clinical and educational experience. Each participant reports enjoying their experience as a dental house surgeon, and most of them would apply to stay another year.