Factors Influencing Recent Dental Graduates' Location and Sector of Employment

Objectives: To investigate factors which influence graduating dentists in choice of location and sector of employment after graduation. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 2000-2003 dental graduates from The University of Melbourne practicing in Victoria. 112 completed questionnaires were returned, a response rate of 76%. Results: Initial practice demographics were - 49 public sector, 94 private sector, 59 rural and 66 metropolitan. The most important factors for choosing to work in the private sector were clinical experience and continuity of patient care. Clinical mentoring and consolidating clinical skills rated highly for those who chose to work in the public sector, with remuneration the least important factor. However, the main reasons given for moving from the public to private sector were to gain a broad range of clinical experience and remuneration. Gaining a broad range of clinical experience and remuneration were also important factors for those who chose to work in rural areas, while lifestyle, proximity to family and friends, and proximity to shops/activities/facilities were the most important factors for those subjects who chose to work in metropolitan areas. The main reasons given for moving from rural to metropolitan practice were to be closer to family, friends and metropolitan amenities. Remuneration was not an important factor in this move. Conclusions: A large proportion of new graduates chose initially to work in rural areas and the public sector on graduation, primarily as a means of consolidating their clinical skills. However, retention appears to be an issue, with less than 10% of 2000 and 2001 graduates now working in the public sector compared to 36% of 2003 graduates. The factors identified provide the basis for strategies to be developed to help recruit and retain new graduates in rural and public practices. This research project was funded by the Australian Dental Association (Victorian Branch).