Gender Differences in Academic Productivity and Advancement Among Pediatric Dental Faculty

The purpose of this study was to examine whether disparities in promotion and academic productivity exist within academic pediatric dentistry. The top 15 schools funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research were included in this study. Gender differences in productivity and advancement were evaluated. Women comprised 48.9 percent of all faculty surveyed (n=184). Less than a third of full professors were women. Female faculty graduated more recently (18.2 years; [95 percent confidence interval (95% CI) equals 15.4 to 20.9], versus 28.5 years for men [95% CI equals 24.8 to 32.1]; P<0.001) and had fewer senior author publications (1.6 [95% CI equals 1.9 to 5.1] versus 3.5 [95% CI equals 0.7 to 2.4]; P=0.03) than their male colleagues. In a linear regression correcting for number of publications and years since graduation, gender was not a significant predictor of academic advancement. Most women in academic pediatric dentistry remain in lower academic tiers with fewer senior author publications. This discrepancy is explained by the years since graduation between male and female faculty at lower levels of academic advancement. Increasing scholarship opportunities and compensation for female faculty members may help improve gender equity in dental academia.