Gender shifts and effects on behavior guidance.
Women's presence in pediatric dentistry has dramatically increased over the past several decades. Women now comprise almost 50 percent of AAPD membership and almost 75 percent of new members.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to determine differences between male and female pediatric dentists relative to practice patterns and use of behavior guidance techniques (BGTs).


METHODS
A web-based survey was sent to 511 pediatric dentists who had been recruited by the AAPD to participate in a series of surveys related to pediatric dentistry.


RESULTS
Fifty-nine percent of dentists responded. Fifty-two percent of the respondents were male and 48 percent were female. Female respondents were significantly younger than male respondents. Males were more likely to own a practice and hold leadership positions in dentistry while females were more likely to work as faculty, staff dentists, or part-time in private practice. No significant differences were noted between the genders relative to the use of BGTs, though females tended to involve parents more and were more likely to report the use of protective stabilization in selected situations. Both genders reported that parenthood had an effect on their behavior guidance styles.
Assistant professor, University of Tennessee, College of Dentistry, Memphis, Tenn, USA. Mwells18@uthsc.edu.
Martha
M
Wells
Professor, Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health, College of Dentistry, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Dennis J
DJ
McTigue
Professor and chair, Division of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Paul S
PS
Casamassimo
Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Georgia Regents University, Augusta, Ga., USA.
Steven
S
Adair
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D032763:Behavior Control / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D019140:Dental Care for Children; D003816:Dentists, Women; D005179:Faculty, Dental; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010067:Ownership; D010377:Pediatric Dentistry; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D011331:Private Practice; D011362:Professional Corporations; D011364:Professional Practice; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires