Gender and Leadership Trajectories in Academic Dentistry

Despite increased number of women entering dental academia in the last decade, gender disparities persist in leadership roles. This study examined gender trends within administrative leadership across U.S. dental schools.

Data on gender, age, employment status, academic rank and administrative title were extracted from the ADEA Survey of Dental School Faculty. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess gender representation in leadership over time, stratified by rank and age and adjusted for employment status (aPR).

On average, women held fewer leadership roles than men (17.5% vs. 19.8%, p < 0.001), even after adjusting for employment status. Women were underrepresented in senior administrative positions such as department chairs (PRs = 0.57-0.81), division directors (PRs = 0.40-0.72) and deans (PRs = 0.46-0.62). Younger women were more likely to hold leadership roles than those aged ≥ 60.

While overrepresented as allied program directors and other nonspecific directorships, women continue to be underrepresented in more senior leadership roles, underscoring the need for systemic reform. Women continue to hold fewer senior leadership roles than men, emphasising the need for systemic change in policies and institutional culture to facilitate gender equity in academic dentistry.