Gender trends in the career patterns of recent dental graduates

The gender composition of U.S. dental schools has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. While women represent less than 10 percent of the practicing dental population, the dramatic increase in dental school enrollment by women will be reflected in a much larger percentage of female dental practitioners in the near future. It is not clear how this trend will affect the structure and organization of the dental profession or the delivery of dental care. This study examined gender differences among recent dental graduates' professional commitment, choice of practice arrangements, and income. The data consist of a random sample of 1979, 1980, and 1981 graduates of U.S. dental schools with an adjusted response rate of 77.6 percent (n = 2,648 males and 346 females). Findings include statistically significant gender differences in mean annual income from private practice, administration, or teaching of dentistry; total family income before taxes; employment status in private practice; marital status, and the number of children under 18 years of age. A gender difference of fewer than four hours worked per week, while statistically significant, is less than previous reports in the literature. Gender remained as a statistically significant predictor of income when controlling for practice ownership, hours per week worked, background, and family/social variables. These findings have policy implications for dental resource planning, organized dentistry, dental education, and the delivery of dental care.