Student and program director perceptions of oral and maxillofacial surgery as career for women

This article investigates reasons for the relatively low number of women entering oral and maxillofacial surgery training. An anonymous online survey was developed to assess the perceptions of senior women dental students and oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) program directors about oral surgery as a career choice for women. It was found that female dental students perceive bias against women in oral surgery, but that most program directors report a favorable view of women. The authors concluded that although a higher percentage of women than men do not complete OMS training, bias against women in OMS does not appear to be prevalent.