Australian Dental Journal
Volume 61, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 174-182

Job satisfaction among 'migrant dentists' in Australia: Implications for dentist migration and workforce policy (Article) (Open Access)

Balasubramanian M.* , Spencer A.J. , Short S.D. , Watkins K. , Chrisopoulos S. , Brennan D.S.
  • a Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, 122 Frome Street, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
  • b Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, 122 Frome Street, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
  • c Faculty of Health Sciences, University of SydneyNSW, Australia
  • d Australian Dental Council, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • e Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, 122 Frome Street, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
  • f Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, School of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, 122 Frome Street, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia

Abstract

Background Migrants occupy a significant proportion of the dental workforce in Australia. The objectives of this study were to assess the level of job satisfaction of employed migrant dentists in Australia, and to examine the association between various migrant dentist characteristics and job satisfaction. Methods All migrant dentists resident in Australia were surveyed using a five-point Likert scale that measured specific aspects of job, career and satisfaction with area and type of practice. Results A total of 1022 migrant dentists responded to this study; 974 (95.4%) were employed. Responses for all scales were skewed towards strongly agree (scores ≥4). The overall scale varied by age group, marital status, years since arrival to Australia and specialist qualification (chi-square, p < 0.05). In a multivariate logistic regression model, there was a trend towards greater satisfaction amongst older age groups. Dentists who migrated through the examination pathway (mainly from low- and middle-income countries) had a lower probability of being satisfied with the area and type of practice (OR = 0.71; 0.51-0.98), compared with direct-entry migrant dentists (from high-income countries). Conclusions The high level of job satisfaction of migrant dentists reflects well on their work-related experiences in Australia. The study offers policy suggestions towards support for younger dentists and examination pathway migrants, so they have appropriate skills and standards to fit the Australian health care environment. © 2016 Australian Dental Association.

Author Keywords

Job satisfaction settlement issues migrant dentists Dental workforce health policy

Index Keywords

career Likert scale Australia logistic regression analysis health care policy human middle aged tooth probability Aged Job Satisfaction Logistic Models resident marriage income Humans migrant psychology model male Dentists female workload adult migration statistical model skill Transients and Migrants dentist
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84971222307&doi=10.1111%2fadj.12370&partnerID=40&md5=6f424b8bb75fa4bc65c20c788d8abfae
DOI: 10.1111/adj.12370
ISSN: 00450421
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English