Objectives: To determine the prevalence of bullying and experience of bullying behaviours among postgraduate hospital dentists.
Design: Questionnaire survey.
Setting: The study was conducted among a sample of dentally qualified trainees within the UK's Hospital Dental Service.
Subjects and methods: Two hundred and twenty-seven postgraduate hospital dentists were sent an anonymous questionnaire by the dental deans of participating deaneries.
Main outcome measures: Prevalence of bullying and prevalence of experience of bullying behaviours; differences in experience of bullying and bullying behaviours by gender and ethnic group.
Results: One hundred and thirty-six hospital dentists returned the questionnaire, a response rate of 60%. Thirty-four (25%) identified themselves as victims of bullying, and 63 (47%) had witnessed their colleagues being bullied. Irrespective of whether or not they labelled themselves as victims of bullying, in the previous year 82 (60%) dentists had experienced one or more of the bullying behaviours included in the checklist. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in experience of bullying behaviours by gender or ethnic group though non-white participants were significantly more likely than white participants to have experienced four of the bullying behaviours.
Conclusions: Rates of bullying and experience of bullying behaviours among postgraduate hospital dentists were consistent with those reported in other NHS settings.