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I had to go to the dentist unexpectedly yesterday. Thankfully, nothing serious is wrong (read: no cavities, no abscesses, no root canals or fillings needed). But I noticed something about my dentist’s office.
When I walked in the office, I was greeted by a woman, sitting behind a counter with other women — the treatment plan and payment coordinators. When I was called back to the exam room, a woman called my name. She did the initial X-rays, and when she needed help, another woman came. It was like this at my last dentist’s office, too. All the receptionists, payment coordinators, hygienists, and other assistants were female. Which is fine, I’m glad to see women filling jobs that may have been considered men-only jobs 50 or 100 years ago.
But, when the dentist walked in the room, it was a man. And the observing student he introduced, trying to decide whether or not dental school is the way to go, was also a man. I have never had a female dentist nor been a patient in a dental practice with a female dentist.
When I talked about this with my husband, he said that when he was small, he went to a pediatric dental clinic, and there was a female dentist there. But she was the only example of a female dentist either of us could think of.
Why aren’t more dentists women? I’ve met lots of women doctors (I wouldn’t say half the doctors I meet are female, but it’s close) and not just in specialties like obstetrics/gynecology. There are certainly some doctors’ offices where the male doctor is assisted only by women, but not nearly as many as there used to be. What’s up with the dentist’s office?
I’d love to hear from my readers on this. What’s your experience with women & dentistry? If you are a female dentist, I’d love to hear your perspective on this and any barriers you have experienced. Male dentists, I’d love your perspective, too. (I was going to ask my dentist yesterday, but he spent a lot of time with me discussing my options for my teeth, time he didn’t have to spend — and I really appreciate it — so I didn’t want to take up more of his time asking irrelevant (to my teeth) questions.)
Thomas
/ October 19, 2011You need to do some research. When I graduated dental school in 1991the 30 % of my class were women. Today it is more like 50%.
What you should be asking is why are more men not filling the roles of dental hygienist or dental assistant? Northampton CC dental hygiene program has graduated 2 men in the last 15 years.
lizbethsgarden
/ October 19, 2011If so many women are graduating from dental school, where are they? I never said they weren’t in dental school. I certainly don’t see them practicing, however. And you do ask a good question — why aren’t men becoming hygienists? Why aren’t they filling the office support roles? My quick answer would be that ‘assistant’ type jobs are typically filled by women today.
Perhaps my headline should have been: ‘Why the unequal roles for the sexes in dentists’ offices?’ Because I certainly don’t see the jobs being equally divided.
Jeannie
/ January 26, 2012You ask, “Where are the women dentsits?” Many women go to dental school but only work part time. While I am a woman dentist who owns my own practice and work ‘full time’ with the support of my family, I don’t work 5-6 days a week as many of my male colleagues because I want to spend time with my family. Dentistry is great for people who want to work part time and still make a difference. And opening and running a dental practice is another full time job in and of itself, so many women dentists work as associates rather than solo.
I worked with a male hygienists once. I had no problem with it, but the general public couldn’t get over it……
lizbethsgarden
/ January 26, 2012Thanks for answering my question! I didn’t know any of that.