Influences on the Retention of Residency-Trained and Non-Residency Trained Navy Dental Corps Officers

摘要

This research project identifies key influences on the retention of Navy Dental Officers beyond their post-obligation period. Two sample groups were selected. The first sample group was selected from Dental Officers who did not receive a Navy sponsored residency program and the second group from Dental Officers who completed a Navy sponsored residency program. Logistic regression models were developed for the Non-Residency and Residency sample data obtained from Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Manpower Information System. The results revealed that accession source, dental specialty and the number of operational tours as a percentage of total tours an officer completes during his or her obligation period were significant factors for retention of Dental Officers in the Non-Residency Model. Significant factors identified for the Residency Model were gender, age when first paid as a Navy Dentist, the number of years Dental Officers waited to begin a Navy-sponsored residency program and dental specialty. Dental Officers who receive their residency training between their sixth and eight year of service are more likely to remain on active duty more than one year beyond their obligated service commitment than officers beginning residency programs earlier or later in their careers.