title: Societal Preference for Gender of Surgeons Performing Patients' Surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous studies have shown that there may be a bias among some male oral and maxillofacial surgeons regarding women practicing in the specialty. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a similar bias in the general public.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a survey of 65 patients of various genders, educational levels, and ages asking them their surgeon gender preference for extraction of a tooth, removal of impacted third molars, and cosmetic surgery, as well as the reasons for their preference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of respondents, 91% had no preference regarding surgeon gender for tooth extraction, 88% for removal of impacted teeth, and 83% for cosmetic surgery. There was no difference in gender preference based on the respondents' gender, educational level, or age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There does not appear to be a gender bias against female oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the general population.
authors.affiliation: Student, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
authors.forename: Alyssa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Research Administration, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
authors.forename: Caroline K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Carrico
authors.affiliation: Professor and Chairman Emeritus, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. Electronic address: dmlaskin@vcu.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Laskin
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery; D057240:Patient Preference; D011639:Public Opinion; D012737:Sex Factors; D013515:Surgery, Oral; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery; D000078329:Workforce