Dental therapy in the United Kingdom: Part 3. Financial aspects of current working practices

Abstract

Objectives To enquire into current remuneration arrangements among UK dental therapists and to explore the nature of any financially related concerns. Methods Part of the postal survey of therapists described in the previous paper in this series. Results The majority of therapists (63%) often work in multiple locations and therefore may be in receipt of more than one type of payment mechanism. Two thirds of therapists are paid an hourly rate in at least one of the locations where they work; just over half are paid a fixed monthly amount and one third are self-employed. Nine percent of respondents were receiving performance-related pay, using goal setting, incentives and bonuses. A number of financially-related concerns were identified. Conclusion Diverse payment systems were reported. Some aspects could present important implications for future recruitment and retention. © 2009 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved.