The feminisation of the orthodontic workforce.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the status and activity of women in the UK orthodontic workforce.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire based on the UK orthodontic workforce.


METHODS
All orthodontic providers in the UK.


METHODS
A questionnaire was circulated to the total study population. The variables studied relating to sex were numbers, age, number of sessions worked, productivity, professional status and retirement intentions.


RESULTS
The response rate was 72.7%. 31.4% of the participants were female. The average age of female providers was 42.7 (SE 0.48) years, who were on average 4 years younger than males. Sixty-six percent of specialist trainees are women and 34% men. 41.5% of male providers and 31.6% of female providers plan to retire in the next 15 years. The mean number of sessions worked by women was 7.2 (SE 0.1) and men 8.2 (SE 0.1). Women completed 24.2 (SE 1.9) cases per session and men 25.6 (SE 1.3).


CONCLUSIONS
The orthodontic workforce is becoming increasingly feminised. The cumulative effect of more women completing fewer cases will mean that workforce planners will need to consider increasing numbers to allow for this feminisation.
Murphy
T C
TC
Montagu Hospital, Mexborough, S64 0AZ, UK. tania.murphy@btopenworld.com
Parkin
N A
NA
Willmot
D R
DR
Robinson
P G
PG
D000328:Adult; D003816:Dentists, Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009970:Orthodontics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data