Exploring mentorship experiences among early career general dental practitioners in NHS dentistry

Introduction This study focuses on exploring mentoring experiences of early career general dental practitioners who deliver care within the NHS (National Health Service).Aim The aim of this study was to investigate experiences of mentorship interactions and the perceived value placed on mentoring within the profession.Methods Empirical qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews of seven dentists who qualified within the past ten years, with an average of 45 minutes for each interview. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results Four overarching themes were identified: the individual, the mentor, the process, and the environment.Conclusion Participants valued mentoring and its influence on their professional life. They highlighted the importance of having a committed mentor, a supportive mentoring environment and a mentoring approach that is tailored to their individual needs. The findings of this small qualitative study raised questions around how the profession value mentoring and some of the challenges in quantifying such value.