DSC launch survey for dental school staff on factors affecting career progression

The Dental Schools Council (DSC) has joined researchers at Newcastle University in launching a joint survey which aims to understand whether staff working in UK dental schools experience differences in career opportunities according to their race and intersecting characteristics. The survey has been sent to dental schools across the UK and can be completed by academic and clinical staff within the schools.

This survey has been launched because while the annual Dental Clinical Academic Survey reports on overall numbers of dental staff in post from different minority groups, the survey only includes dentally qualified staff and does not provide granular data about career progression. It is hoped that by supporting this research the Dental Schools Council will be able to report whether there are broad differences in career progression of academic and clinical staff within dental schools according to race and/or other intersecting characteristics including gender, disability and sexuality. This will add to the information routinely reported on an annual basis by Dental Schools Council and will provide a baseline in understanding diversity and equality within UK dental schools from which it will be possible to measure future progress.

The survey takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete and all responses to it will remain anonymous while helping to inform future policy on career support and development. Any dental school staff who have not received the survey or require further information are encouraged to contact the DSC on admin@dentalschools.ac.uk.