Abstract
Introduction - The General Dental Council (GDC) regulates the United Kingdom (UK) dental profession and a dentist may be mandated to attend a fitness to practise (FtP) panel. In this study, such dentists are referred to as a ‘dentist in difficulty' (DD). Coach mentoring by a coach mentor (CM) is one of the GDC suggestions to support DDs to help them fulfil the conditions set by a FtP panel. There is little published literature on coach mentoring DDs.
Aims - The aims of this study were to investigate the lived experiences of CMs, including their reasons for becoming a CM and their perceptions of both the DDs and the future of coach mentoring.
Methods - Using a qualitative research methodology, 11 individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken with identified CMs (study participants). Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis to identify overarching themes.
Results - Five themes and 21 subthemes were identified. All CMs reported that they offered confidential, effective and non-judgemental support for DDs. The CMs believed in the reactionary coach mentoring they delivered but considered that a more preventive approach should also be explored.
Conclusion - CMs reported complex intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting the DDs and felt that coach mentoring supports DDs to develop into safe, reflective and insightful practitioners.
Aims - The aims of this study were to investigate the lived experiences of CMs, including their reasons for becoming a CM and their perceptions of both the DDs and the future of coach mentoring.
Methods - Using a qualitative research methodology, 11 individual semi-structured interviews were undertaken with identified CMs (study participants). Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis to identify overarching themes.
Results - Five themes and 21 subthemes were identified. All CMs reported that they offered confidential, effective and non-judgemental support for DDs. The CMs believed in the reactionary coach mentoring they delivered but considered that a more preventive approach should also be explored.
Conclusion - CMs reported complex intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting the DDs and felt that coach mentoring supports DDs to develop into safe, reflective and insightful practitioners.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 720-725 |
| Journal | British Dental Journal |
| Volume | 238 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 9 May 2025 |