title: Personality patterns of Texas dentists: a study using the bi/polar theory.
abstract: Are individuals with certain personality styles uniquely attracted to dentistry? A recent study with 218 Texas dentists using the Bi/Polar Inventory of Core Strengths showed that the dentists were more thinking (57.3%) than risking, profoundly more practical (78.0%) than theoretical, and more independent (67.9%) than dependent. Compared with the general population, dentists were significantly more thinking, practical and independent. Of the eight personality styles, Pattern II (thinking-practical-independent) (29.4%) was the only pattern significantly over-represented among the dentists compared with the general population. However, Pattern I (thinking-practical-dependent) (17.4%) was also over-represented at the trend level. Significantly under-represented among the dentists were Pattern V (risking-practical-dependent) (6.9%) and Pattern VI (risking-theoretical-dependent) (3.2%). Results suggest at least some personality influence on attraction to dentistry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Practice Relations and Management, Dental Branch of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mozer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lloyd
mesh_terms: D001076:Aptitude; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas