Gender and the transition into practice

Since 1990, over half the enrollees in advanced education pediatric dentistry programs have been women. The higher proportion of women in pediatric dentistry should permit examination of the practice patterns of groups of men and women at similar stages in their careers. In 1991 the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry surveyed 4,950 dentists about a variety of issues related to practice patterns and demographics, obtaining 2,362 responses. This study conducted a secondary analysis of the survey data by developing three age-matched graduation cohorts based on gender and years since graduation: 1 to 5 years, 6 to 10 years, and over 10 years. Four areas were investigated: practice patterns, practice arrangements, distribution of time, and income. The overall differences in practice patterns between males and females were statistically significant for the Early Career Group (1 to 5 years). More males were in private practice and a higher proportion of them were practice owners. More women were dental school faculty or in private practice as an employee or contractor. The differences in practice patterns for males and females were not statistically significant for the Intermediate Career Group (6 to 10 years). In the Established Career group (over 10 years), the differences were again statistically significant, with more males as practice owners and shareholders and more women in solo practices. Analysis of time distribution showed that, in the two earlier career groups, women spend about twice as much time as men in child care. These findings may help to explain why many women in the early stages of their careers might prefer the flexibility of working for someone else. When the effects of gender and employment status on income were tested, significant differences were found for the Intermediate and Established groups, with males and practice owners having higher income levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)