A good year

On average the process took six weeks, with candidates making three applications for every interview they attended.

Dentists’ experiences of looking for their first dental post in 2014 also revealed that this year’s cohort of foundation dentists (FDs) and vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) are more likely to stay in the practice in which they have trained – 28 per cent in 2014, compared with only 15 per cent in 2013. 

Over half of those surveyed had found a post in general dental practice, compared with around four in ten who had opted for a post in a hospital setting. While the latter represents a slight reduction on 2013, FDs and VDPs were still more likely to opt for a hospital post in 2014 compared with those completing their training in 2011 or 2012.

As was the case in 2013, the cohort attracted to working in hospital settings said that they were motivated by opportunities for career development and progression. By contrast, those who opted for a post in general dental practice were more likely to be concerned with pay, flexible working arrangements, patient mix and the location of their new post.