title: Personality types of pediatric dentists: comparative analysis and associated factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the personality types of pediatric dentists and associated variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey containing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and demographic and practice questions was mailed to 500 pediatric dentists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The responding 214 pediatric dentists preferred sensing over intuition, feeling over thinking and judging over perceiving. The distribution of the pediatric dentists' 16 personality types differed significantly from other dental specialists, general dentists, and pediatricians as well as the general population. Pediatric dentists were significantly more likely to prefer: sensing when compared to pediatricians; feeling when compared to dental specialists, general dentists, and pediatricians; and judging when compared to pediatricians and the general population. Pediatric dentists who preferred sensing were more likely to spend a greater portion of their time in clinical care than those who preferred intuition. Ninety-seven percent of those responding were very satisfied or satisfied with their profession. Those who were very satisfied were more likely to prefer extraversion, be over 46-years-old, and practice in a non-solo setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The personalities of pediatric dentists differ from other dentists and pediatricians as well as the general population and are associated with some demographic and practice factors.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Dentistry, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, USA. hneedleman@post.havard.edu
authors.forename: Howard L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Needleman
authors.forename: Sungyon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jamelyn R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McPeek
authors.forename: Dionne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005120:Extraversion, Psychological; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007439:Introversion, Psychological; D019545:Intuition; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007600:Judgment; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry; D010465:Perception; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking; D014481:United States