The contribution of women to dentistry in the 1980s

A study of the career development of male and female dental practitioners

“…The juggling of these roles has been well documented. 2,3,5,9,10 It is likely that the opportunity to study is reduced for women because of this.…”

“…Previous research with this group and using this methodology 2,5 achieved an initial return rate of 65%, which was increased to 75% following a reminder letter.…”

A study of the career development of male and female dental practitioners

“…It is unlikely that there are inherent differences between men and women that make women more reluctant to gain additional qualifications and so it could be suggested that differences between men's and women's domestic roles underpin this. 2,3,5 Hospital dental service (HDS) A slightly higher percentage of women dentists (5.7%) than men (4.8%) were employed in the hospital dental service, although in actual numbers this represents 28 women and 47 men. Again, men are more likely than women to be employed in the most senior (consultant) positions, though this difference disappears among the younger respondents.…”

“…Spencer and Lewis 4 suggested that males and females differed in their hours of work (women being more likely to work part-time) and in their practice setting (women being more likely to hold salaried positions). Similarly McEwen and Seward 2 reported that although two-thirds of their sample of female dental practitioners worked in general dental practice the proportion of women working as principals was low (46% of those working in general practice) and had shown little increase over a period of 10 years. 1 McEwen and Seward went on to suggest that some women preferred not to take on the responsibility of owning and managing their own practice, and that, furthermore, some male practitioners were reluctant to enter into a business partnership with a woman.…”

“…The proportion of registrations by women has risen from one quarter of new entrants in 1975, to over one third in 1985, to one half in 1991. 1,2,3 There have been a number of studies which have examined differences between male and female dental practitioners in their work patterns. Spencer and Lewis 4 suggested that males and females differed in their hours of work (women being more likely to work part-time) and in their practice setting (women being more likely to hold salaried positions).…”