Defense Date
2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Dentistry
Department
Dentistry
First Advisor
Paula Coates
Second Advisor
Caroline Carrico
Third Advisor
Carlos Smith
Fourth Advisor
Jeffrey Johnson
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to understand how psychological safety (PS) and perceived organizational support (POS) present among pediatric dentists, determine how demographic variables are associated with each, and evaluate the relationship between PS and POS.
Methods: AAPD member pediatric dentists practicing in the U.S. or U.S. territories were invited to participate in an anonymous survey. Psychological safety and perceived organizational support were measured using the Psychological Safety Scale (PSS) and the Survey of Perceived Organizational Support (SPOS). Personal and practice characteristics were evaluated using multivariable regression models. Significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: A total of 397 responses were analyzed (6% response rate). Psychological safety was significantly associated with race/ethnicity (P=.0006), existing student debt (P=.0062), role in the practice (P=.0414), and whether they left a job since residency (P=.0060). Those with no student debt and those who had not left a job since residency had significantly higher PS scores. Owners reported significantly higher PS scores than other roles. Perceived organizational support was significantly associated with race/ethnicity (P=.0020), role in the practice (P< .0001), and whether it had been 5+ years since residency completion (P=.0416). POS was significantly higher for non-Hispanic white respondents, owners, and those who completed residency more than 5 years ago.
Conclusions: Based on this study’s results, factors like role in the practice, race/ethnicity, and student loan debt greatly affect PS and POS. There is a positive correlation between PS and POS, thus PS is not incidental; it emerges only when organizations actively and consistently demonstrate meaningful support for their clinicians.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-29-2026