Female dental students' perceptions on barriers and motivators in pursuing oral and maxillofacial surgery

Although females represent more than half of US dental students, less than 10% are practicing oral surgeons. This study sought to identify barriers and motivators perceived by female dental students in their D1 and D4 years concerning a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS).

This cross-sectional study used a single survey in 2023 sent to all US dental schools for female D1 and D4 students. Perceived barriers and motivating factors were rated on a scale from 0 to 5, 5 indicating the highest importance. For comparisons between D1 and D4, the data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and adjusted for multiple correction using the Bonferroni method. All responses were pooled to identify statistically significant barriers and motivating factors.

Combined cohort barriers identified were time commitment (86.2%), family sacrifices (75.2%), long work hours (70.7%), and need to perform at top of class (64.6%). The important motivators were financial security (82.1%), scope (71.2%), respect (62%), and lifestyle after residency (51.4%). A statistically significant difference between groups was on the need to excel academically, with D1 students rating it more important (4.14/5) and D4's rating 3.51/5 (adjusted p-value = 0.02, which is less than 0.05). The responses for motivation to pursue OMS showed a significant difference, D1 rating it 3.81/5 and D4 rating it 3.26/5 (adjusted p-value = 0.03, which is less than 0.05).

As the primary barriers identified relate to issues of time and personal sacrifice, it may be beneficial to enhance female mentorship and surgical clerkship opportunities for female dental students to address these issues.