The possible reasons why dentists in full-time primary employment engage in additional part-time private practice

The purpose of this study was to understand the possible underlying reasons for dentists having full time job engaging in additional part-time private practice work. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 46 male dentists legally working evenings as part-timers in private dental clinics in addition to their full time job during the day. McNemar and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data and identify significance findings. Out of the 46 respondents, 95% were married, with the highest percentage (32.6%) having three children. The satisfaction of the dentists with the laboratory work, collaboration with other dental specialists, patient cooperation, selection of the time of their clinical sessions, availability of dental materials, quality control and finally working with the same dental assistant, was significantly higher in their part-time jobs compared to their full-time jobs. This was significantly reflected on their efficiency in the part-time job compared to their full time job. More than half of the dentists (56.6%) reported that their part-time job had positive influence on their full time job. The part-time income in relation to the full time salary for the majority of dentists was either less than ¼ or between ¼ - ½ the salary of the full-time job. This study demonstrated that: (1) the dentist self-satisfaction in performing his work appears to be a possible significant reason for seeking part-time job; (2) dentists were more efficient in their part-time job; (3) working part-time had positive influence on the full time job; (4) the main dental income for the majority of dentists was from the full-time job, with the part-time job income as supplementary.