To determine whether there was a relationship between dentists' intention to pursue postgraduate continuing education (CE) and their job satisfaction, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire that was sent out to a random sample of 1427 dentists from 107 settlements in Bulgaria. The survey instrument consisted of 37 items and collected information on participants' satisfaction with their job levels, demographic and workplace characteristics, economic factors, and attitudes toward CPD. Continuing professional development (CPD) involves a variety of distinct activities and is essential for dentists to maintain their skills, knowledge, and professionalism while working. The data was analyzed using standard descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test, with a significance level set at P < 0.05. A total of 436 dentists completed the survey (response rate = 30.5%), and dentists who had a higher chance to attend CPD courses (n = 288 (66.1%)) showed higher levels of professional satisfaction (P < 0.05). The majority of respondents (n = 388 (89%)) said that they would be willing to participate in CE; however, there was no significant correlation between this aspect and job satisfaction (P ≥ 0.05). 20% of respondents said they had taken career pauses ranging from a few months to five or six years. Partial and full satisfaction were higher among dentists without career pauses than among those who did (P < 0.05). To increase dentists' interest in professional growth and, eventually, their job happiness, it is strongly recommended to restrict career pauses and provide more possibilities and time for participation in various types of continuing education.
