Differences in time devoted to practice by male and female dentists

Area of Science:

• Dental Practice Management
• Health Workforce Research
• Sociology of Professions

Background:

• Existing research indicates a gender gap in annual hours worked by dentists.
• Understanding factors contributing to this disparity is crucial for healthcare capacity planning.
• Previous studies highlight differences in work hours between male and female dentists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factors explaining the difference in annual hours worked between male and female dentists in private practice.
• To analyze the impact of family responsibilities, specifically child-rearing, on dentists' practice hours.
• To provide data for accurate estimation and projection of dental service supply.

Main Methods:

• A weighted, stratified random sample of Australian dentists was surveyed in 1988.
• Data collected via mailed questionnaire from 855 respondents (75.5% response rate).
• Analysis focused on 566 dentists in private practice (361 males, 205 females).

Main Results:

• Annual practice hours were significantly lower for female dentists, those not the sole family earner, and those with young children.
• A significant interaction effect was observed: practice hours decreased for females with young children.
• Female dentists with no or older children worked more hours, while male dentists consistently maintained higher work hours.

Conclusions:

• Family-related factors, particularly the presence and age of young children, disproportionately affect female dentists' working hours.
• The gender disparity in practice hours is exacerbated by childcare responsibilities for female dentists.
• Accurate workforce capacity assessment requires monitoring and accounting for these gender-specific variations in time devoted to dental practice.