Understanding What Drives Dentists To Work With Disadvantaged Groups

Objectives: To explore the characteristics, values, beliefs and motivation of dentists who provide care to underserved population groups to better understand the intrinsic nature of what drives and sustains these few dentists in the work they do.

Methods: A qualitative empirical investigation using semi structured in-depth interviews which were audio-recorded for analysis.  A purposeful sampling strategy was used to recruit 16 dentists diverse in age, sex, practice type and location using the ‘snowballing’ technique.  Thematic analysis based on Glaser’s style Grounded theory principles was the methodology used to analyse the transcripts.  Verbatim transcripts of the interviews were checked and verified by the participants for accuracy.

Results: Data were coded systematically using an iterative process and checked by independent researchers.  The analysis resulted in the emergence of five preliminary themes associated with Dental school experience, Resilience, Rewards, being Tapped on the shoulder, and having a strong commitment to Helping the less fortunate.

Conclusions: Resilience and a strong sense of social justice, purpose and satisfaction were key characteristics of these dentists.  Their backgrounds and experiences, including those as a dental student, may have contributed to them doing what they do despite the associated challenges.  A follow up study will investigate whether there are variations in the qualities of dentists who treat those Australians who have fair and equitable access to dental services and those who do not.