Orthodontic Faculty Recruitment and Retention: Goals and Perceptions

• Main Author: Peck, Sheldon L
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 2003
• Subjects: job satisfaction; orthodontics; Net income; compensation; Dentistry; Medicine and Health Sciences; Orthodontics and Orthodontology
• Online Access: http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/747; http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1746&context=etd

There is a shortage of faculty in academic dentistry and orthodontics in particular. The purpose of this study was to quantify real and perceived differences in income, workload, and satisfaction between full-time academic and private practice orthodontists. Surveys were returned by 119 (70%) faculty, 79 (36%) private practitioners, and 160 (59%) orthodontic residents. Average annual income for faculty was less than half that of private practitioners. Faculty also reported working significantly more hours per week and taking less vacation time. Though both faculty and practitioners perceived their own jobs to be more satisfying overall, faculty felt academics was more stressful, involved more bureaucracy, and made it more difficult for them to obtain ABO certification. Residents reported educational debt averaging $132,120 and perceived it would take nearly twice as long to pay off in an academic career. Only residents felt that faculty were more respected than their private practice colleagues.