Army Dental Officer Retention

Abstract

The objective of this article was to identify major factors associated with the retention of Army dentists. Customized survey instruments were designed. The 2006 survey was e-mailed to all Army Dental Corps captains and majors and the 2007 survey to all lieutenant colonels and colonels. Responses were returned by e-mail, fax, or traditional mail. Response rates were 42% for the 2006 survey and 76% for the 2007 survey. More than one-half (53%) of junior officers responded as being highly unlikely or unlikely to remain on active duty, although the majority of senior officers reported being likely or very likely to remain in the Army until retirement. The results indicated that pay is a major driver for retention, because 72% of junior officers cited increases in bonuses as the first or second most important retention item. Sixty-nine percent of junior officers thought that a bonus of $30,000 to $40,000 per year would be influential in retention. Pay was important to senior officers, but quality of practice, quality of life, and less frequent moves were rated higher than pay. All respondents felt that both senior and local leaders were aware of the retention issues but only 41% of junior officers, compared with 75% of senior officers, felt that action was being taken to address the issues. Retention of Army Dental Corps officers is multifactorial in nature. Pay is a major retention factor, but retention initiatives need to be broader in scope.