title: Women in orthodontics and work-family balance: challenges and strategies.
abstract: The number of women entering the orthodontic profession over the past few decades has increased dramatically. A review of the literature revealed the lack of research on achieving a work-family balance among female dentists and dental specialists. Work-family balance has been researched more extensively in the field of medicine; however, despite some critical differences, parallels between these 2 professions exist. This study identified issues that Canadian female orthodontists face and strategies they use to achieve a work-family balance. A phenomenological qualitative study was used to analyze the results of semi-structured telephone interviews of a purposive sample of 13 Canadian female orthodontists. The results strongly support the role-conflict theory about the competing pressures of maternal and professional roles. Female orthodontists described their challenges and strategies to minimize role conflict in their attempt to achieve a work-family balance. The women defined balance as having success and satisfaction in both their family life and professional life. They identified specific challenges of achieving a work-family balance that are unique to orthodontic practice and strategies for adapting to their maternal and professional roles. Achieving a work-family balance is of paramount importance to female orthodontists, and the results of this study may be applied to other specialties in dentistry.
authors: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Davidson
authors: Paul W
authors: PW
authors: Major
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Flores-Mir
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Amin
authors: Louanne
authors: L
authors: Keenan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000523:psychology; D002170:Canada; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003816:Dentists, Women / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009970:Orthodontics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014937:Work / Q000523:psychology*; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload