Role models and professional development in dentistry: an important resource

Background The importance of role models, and their differing influence in early, mid‐ and late careers, has been identified in the process of professional development of medical doctors. There is a paucity of evidence within dentistry on role models and their attributes. Aim To explore the views of early career dentists on positive and negative role models across key phases of professional development, together with role models’ attributes and perceived influence. Methods This is a phenomenological study collecting qualitative data through semi‐structured interviews based on a topic guide. Dentists in junior (core training) hospital posts in one academic health science centre were all invited to participate. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework analysis. Results Twelve early career stage dentists, 10 of whom were female, reported having role models, mainly positive, in their undergraduate and early career phases. Participants defined role models’ attributes in relation to three distinct domains: clinical attributes, personal qualities and teaching skills. Positive role models were described as “prioritising the patient's best interests”, “delivering learner‐centred teaching and training” and “exhibiting a positive personality”, whilst negative role models demonstrated the converse. Early career dentists reported having largely positive dentist role models during‐ and post‐dental school and report their impact on professional values and aspirations, learning outcomes and career choice. Conclusion The findings suggest that these early career dentists in junior hospital posts have largely experienced and benefitted from positive role models, notably dentists, perceived as playing an important and creative influence promoting professionalism and shaping the career choices of early career stage dentists.