The careers of women dentists in the university

Since 1866 when Lucy Beaman Hobbs graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery as the first woman dentist in the world, many women have followed her example. In this paper, the first to be given in the Symposium, 'Women In Dentistry - Any Room At The Top?', the place of women dentists in universities is discussed. In many countries, despite the rapid growth in the proportion of women compared with men qualifying in dentistry, men still hold the majority of senior university posts. Evidence supports this observation and suggestions are given as to the reasons why it may persist.