Predictors of attrition in the dental nurse workforce

Objectives: GDC figures suggest an annual attrition rate among dental nurses of approximately 7%. Concerns have been raised that mandatory registration and training may cause older highly experienced dental nurses, or conversely newly qualified nurses, to leave the profession due to poor pay and career prospects. This paper aims to establish the level of attrition by August 2012 and August 2013 in a sample of dental nurses who took part in a national survey in 2011; relate characteristics and attitudes, including intention to quit, identified in the 2011 survey, to leaving the GDC register by August 2012; and investigate whether the 5-year CPD cycle deadline of August 2013 was associated with a higher rate of attrition, and whether different predictors of attrition operated. Methods: Survey respondents’ GDC registration number was checked against the GDC register in August 2012 and 2013. Demographic, employment and attitudinal variables from the 2011 survey were investigated for associations with leaving the register. Results: Of 251 respondents, 7% had left the GDC register by August 2012. Nurses aged under 25 were six times more likely to have left than nurses aged 25-58. Leaving the register was predicted by the following responses from the 2011 survey: disagreeing with the statements “I am supported to keep up-to-date with developments in my field” and “I am encouraged to develop my own expertise”, and with lower job satisfaction. It was also associated with agreeing with the statements “I plan to get further qualifications”, “I will probably look for a job at a new organisation in the next 12 months” and “I plan to leave dental nursing for a different career”. Conclusion: By linking survey responses with actual quitting the register, the study was able to examine what might predict such actions. Results using 2013 attrition data will also be presented.