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Personality patterns of Texas dentists: a study using the bi/polar theory.
1Department of Practice Relations and Management, Dental Branch of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
Texas Dental Journal
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Dentists exhibit distinct personality traits, favoring thinking, practical, and independent styles. These characteristics appear to influence the attraction to the dental profession.
Area of Science:
- Dental Psychology
- Occupational Personality Studies
Background:
- Understanding the psychological underpinnings of career choice is crucial in healthcare professions.
- Previous research has explored personality traits in various medical fields, but specific focus on dentistry is less common.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether specific personality styles are disproportionately represented among dentists.
- To identify potential personality influences that may attract individuals to the dental profession.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 218 dentists in Texas.
- Utilized the Bi/Polar Inventory of Core Strengths (BICS) to assess personality styles.
- Compared the personality profiles of dentists with the general population.
Main Results:
- Dentists were found to be significantly more thinking, practical, and independent compared to the general population.
- Pattern II (thinking-practical-independent) personality style was significantly over-represented among dentists.
- Pattern I (thinking-practical-dependent) showed a trend towards over-representation, while Patterns V and VI were significantly under-represented.
Conclusions:
- Personality styles appear to play a role in attracting individuals to dentistry.
- Specific traits such as being thinking, practical, and independent may be indicative of a predisposition towards a dental career.