Gender trends in dentistry: Dental faculty and academic leadership

Abstract

ObjectivesGender equality in the healthcare workforce has been a topic of discourse for many decades. In dental academia, women's representation of enrolled students and faculty has risen consistently since the 1980s. However, women in faculty leadership positions may still be lagging when compared to men. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the number of women who occupy the upper echelons of academic rank and title by analyzing cross‐referenced data from the American Dental Association and the American Dental Education Association on women dental school graduates in relation to academic appointments.MethodsGender distribution in rank, title, and appointments in the decade from 2011 to 2019, as well as percentage of women graduates over the same period, were collected for descriptive statistics. Multiple linear regression analysis, Cochran Armitage, and chi‐square tests were conducted to examine trends over the years and to determine significant differences in overall percentages (p < 0.05).ResultsThe total women faculty percentages ranged from 36% to 40%. While the lower‐level rank of instructor retained a higher representation of women (56%–65%), the higher rank of professor had disproportionately lower women percentages (18%–26%). Graduates, full‐time faculty, lower‐level academic ranks, and higher‐level academic ranks for women followed similar upward trends that were statistically significant (p < 0.05). When comparing the different groups against each other, the annual increase in women DMD/DDS graduate percentage was higher than women full‐time faculty (0.28%), instructor rank (0.92%), professor rank (0.50%), and department chair appointments (0.49%).ConclusionsOur data show that women are still underrepresented at higher academic ranks. However, the upward trends for professors, assistant deans, and program chairs suggest that in recent years, more women faculty may have been encouraged, mentored, or offered higher administrative positions in academic institutions.

Women in dental education and their desire to lead: A follow‐up

“…The study respondents also expressed a significant increase in their desire to hold administrative positions, possibly due to increased representation of women in these roles at dental schools 4,5 One respondent explained: “ I think that having more women in dental education and in leadership/administrative roles makes visualizing opportunities for women by women more of the norm for current and upcoming generations ”.…”

“…Various studies have explored gender disparities in academic dentistry and have identified that women faculty experience reduced academic productivity, delays in promotion, and poor retention—but, why? 4–8 This discussion will focus on elevating the perspectives and lived experiences shared by women dental faculty in this study to better understand the drivers of gender inequities in dental education. Further, recommendations from women dental academics will be shared to highlight actionable ways in which barriers to career advancement can be dismantled and the aspirations of women in academic dentistry can be better supported.…”

“…Further, distinct from mentoring, leaders at dental institutions should actively encourage, support, and sponsor women faculty 4 …”

“…Current literature revealed consistent increases in the percentage of women dental school graduates, women in the dental workforce, and women in academic dentistry 4 . Although the greatest percentage of women faculty at U.S. dental schools are concentrated in junior academic ranks, there has been an increase in women holding administrative roles, specifically program chair and assistant dean positions 4 . At the time of publication of the 2015 study, ADEA reported 22% of the deans in the U.S. were women 2 .…”

“…An examination of literature in preparation for the present study was conducted to familiarize the authors with the state of knowledge on women and leadership in dental education. Current literature revealed consistent increases in the percentage of women dental school graduates, women in the dental workforce, and women in academic dentistry 4 . Although the greatest percentage of women faculty at U.S. dental schools are concentrated in junior academic ranks, there has been an increase in women holding administrative roles, specifically program chair and assistant dean positions 4 .…”