Date of Degree

2010

Document Type

thesis

Degree Name

MS (Master of Science)

Department

Dental Public Health

First Advisor

Michelle McQuistan

Abstract

Objective: To identify the significant predictors associated with Army Dental Corps Junior Officers' intent to leave the military. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted utilizing the responses from the 2009 Army Dental Officer Retention Survey. The 92 item questionnaire consisted of questions addressing retention issues. Although the survey was distributed to all Army dental officers, only results from junior officers were considered for this study. Results: Forty-six percent of junior officers completed the survey (N=577; n=267).Fifty-eight percent of respondents reported an intent to leave the military prior to retirement. In the final regression model, six variables were significantly (p < .05) associated with an officer's intent to leave: unit of assignment (p<.009, Beta=.144); specialty training status or area of concentration (AOC) (p< .047, Beta=.098) ; age (p<.002, Beta= -.133); military lifestyle (p<.001, Beta=.236); benefits (p<.000, Beta= -.408) and professional development (p<.023, Beta=.194). The model accounted for 45.7% of the total variance. Conclusion: Variables other than pay, bonuses, deployments, frequent moves and student debt were significantly associated with intent to leave. Future studies should be conducted to more fully understand how the identified significant predictor variables impact intent to leave so that policies can be developed to help reduce turn-over among junior dental officers.

Pages

xi, 154

Bibliography

144-154

Copyright

Copyright 2010 Johnette Joy Shelley