Gender Differences in Pediatric Dentistry Chairs in the United States and Canada

To analyze gender differences in personal and professional demographics, job perceptions and work satisfaction between male and female pediatric dentistry academic leaders in the United States and Canada.

A 40-question survey was sent electronically to department chairs requesting information about demographics, current circumstances of the position, professional history, and opinions about the position. Data was analyzed by the sex of the respondent.

Eighty-eight surveys were distributed electronically and 55 chairs responded (response rate: 62.5%). Women comprised 29.5% of the sample, were younger and had less leadership training than men. Men had served longer in the position (t(41)=2.02, p=0.05) and had higher ranking academic titles. Women spent more time managing personnel (p=0.026), creating courses and programs (p=0.029), and teaching (p=0.006) than men. Female chairs perceived to have a difficult relationship with the faculty (p=0.027), felt they received less faculty support (p=0.002), and were significantly more dissatisfied in the job (p=0.037). Men were more stressed about a heavy workload than women (p=0.001).

Gender was significantly related to the demographics, experience, perceptions of the skills and abilities required for job performance, time management and job satisfaction for pediatric dentistry department chairs in American and Canadian institutions.