Women in Dentistry

Today, women make up between 48% (Russia) to 75% (Finland) of the dentist workforce. And yet, in the United States, women hold just 18% of dental school dean positions and make up only 14.8% of major dental journal editorial boards. Female clinicians are less likely than men to own a clinic or take post-graduate qualifications and the average annual income of full-time, self-employed women was 37% lower than the income of full-time, self-employed men, which clearly demonstrates the persistence of the gender wage gap.1

40 years after the United Nations declared the convention2 for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, it is reported that almost half of dental students and female dental care professionals will experience harassment from either male dentists or male patients.3

Notwithstanding these challenges, women are entering the dental profession at higher rates than men in some countries: this means that they must be prepared for and supported into leadership roles. It is imperative that as an advocacy leader, FDI inspires and encourages women to achieve their full potential.

The Women in Dentistry project was established to highlight the challenges of the current situation, a persistent gender wage gap, lack of female leadership, unevenly balanced panels and conferences that feature mostly men and very few women and emphasize opportunities and showcase how women bring positive changes in leadership, innovation and in different fields of dentistry.

Image
Women in Dentistry

References

  1. Blanton P. Women in Dentistry: Negotiating the Move to Leadership. J Dent Educ. 2006;70(11 suppl).
  2. A/RES/34/180 - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women - UN Documents: Gathering a body of global agreements [Internet]. [cited 2019 Mar 1]. Available from: http://www.un-documents.net/a34r180.htm
  3. Pallavi SK, Rajkumar GC. Professional practice among woman dentist. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2011;1(1):14–9.

Goal 1

Engage, incentivize, and empower all women in dentistry to be involved in shaping and leading the profession, today and tomorrow.

Goal 2

Emphasize opportunities and showcase how women bring positive changes and innovation.

Goal 3

Advocate for women to be equally represented and included at every level of the profession.

Resources

  • Women President
    07/15/2021
    In conversation with trailblazing women in dentistry: past and future presidents of FDI World Dental Federation
  • WWW
    Women Dentists Worldwide

    Women Dentists Worldwide exists to facilitate contacts between women worldwide and enhance their full participation in all branches of the profession.

  • FDI_women in dentistry_Lucy Beaman Hobbs Taylor
    03/31/2020
    Pioneering women in dentistry pave the way for excellence in the profession
  • FDI interview
    12/02/2020
    Conversations with leading women in dentistry series: Q&A with the Women in Dentistry Project experts
  • FDI women in dentistry_Fiona Ellwood
    10/23/2020
    Conversations with leading women in dentistry series: Fiona Ellwood, dental nurse
  • Women in Dentistry
    04/16/2021
    Conversations with leading women in oral health series: Lessons in leadership from dental hygienists and therapists
  • Leading women
    06/03/2021
    Conversations with leading women in dentistry series: global representation matters