eGDCGDC publishes analysis of dentists’ working patterns
We have today published an in-depth analysis of dentists’ working patterns, building on the data we released in March this year.
The analysis benefits from responses from 24,928 dentists – representing 55% of all registered dentists – who completed the working patterns survey, the first of its kind, as part of their annual renewal in late 2023.
The significant response rate has enabled us to develop detailed insights into various aspects of dental practice across the UK. We released the initial results in March 2024. This was followed by the dental care professionals’ results in October 2024.
Theresa Thorp, Executive Director of Regulation at the GDC, said:
"Today's release marks a further milestone in understanding the dental workforce landscape. We're particularly grateful to all the dentists who participated in the survey; their input has been instrumental in creating valuable insights to better inform future workforce planning and policy discussions.
“For the first time, we have firm evidence of how dentists are deploying their skills across different practice settings and geographical areas. These insights will be instrumental in addressing the sector's pressing workforce challenges."
Key findings from the analysis reveal:
- Most dentists who completed the working patterns questions were working in clinical roles.
- Female dentists were more likely to be delivering NHS clinical care than their male counterparts.
- Early career dentists who had been on register for less than five years were more likely to be delivering NHS clinical work, compared with dentists who had been on the register longer.
- Dentists working in Scotland had the highest proportion of respondents working in clinical NHS practice.
- Almost three-quarter of dentists (72%) working in general dental practice were self-employed.
- Those whose primary field of practice was ‘specialist’ had typically been on the register longer than those who reported their primary field of practice as ‘dentist.’
- Dentists working in Scotland had the highest proportion of respondents working in clinical NHS practice.
- Most dentists work within a single UK country, with minimal cross-border work.
This publication delivers on our commitment to provide more detailed analysis of the initial data release and to support broader discussions about the future of dental services in the UK.