[Female dentists. Style of their professional practice]

In many Western countries during the past decades there has been a strong increase in the number of women dentists. This review on current literature shows that women dentists differ from their male colleagues in their way of practising the profession. More so than men they prefer to work in a group practice or in some kind of partnership. Women dentists also appear to have relatively smaller practices than their male colleagues and on average they practise fewer hours per week. However, it is important to notice that for women dentists motherhood is an important restricting factor with regard to practising their profession, often resulting in career break and diminishing professional productivity. Because of the strong increase in the percentage of women dentists, it is important for future policies to recognise their specific issues and concerns, as well as the consequences for dentistry of their way of practising. Thus, planning of manpower and infrastructure of dentistry can be done in a more adequate way.