Dentistry Argues Discrimination in Dental School
When gender profiling in dental school admissions was covered in a Wealthy Dentist survey, the slight majority of dentist opposed gender discrimination. However, many dentists felt that favoring male applicants could increase access to dental care.
San Francisco, CA, March 07, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Is it legitimate for dental schools to give preference to male applicants? Fully 42% of dentists said yes in a recent survey by dental marketing resource The Wealthy Dentist, feeling that it's permissible to favor those who will give back the most. Of course, 58% disagreed, finding gender discrimination unacceptable.
Studies have found that female dentists work less than their male colleagues (by about 4 hours per week). Women dentists, particularly those with small children, are more likely to work part-time. So, the argument goes, the average male dentist provides more total care to the public over the course of his career than the average female dentist.
Men and women had drastically different opinions on the matter of gender profiling. While 55% of male dentists felt that favoring male applicants was acceptable, only 12% of female dentists agreed.
Many dentists slammed part-timers. "The reality is we are entering a time of declining supply of dentists and increasing population. For every slot in a dental school that is occupied, we are going to need a reasonable output of care from that individual," said a male dentist. "I am so tired of seeing female dentists who don't want to work. Stop taking a spot in dental school. You have an obligation to the profession. If you only want to work part-time, be a hygienist!" complained a female dental office worker.
The issue is even more complicated at state schools. "Anyone accepting a position in a state school needs to make a mental commitment to practice for at least 15 years to justify taking up that admittance slot," opined a female periodontist. "The public should not subsidize a full-time education in a field with a developing shortage for a part time-provider," agreed a male dentist.
Many respondents were appalled by the suggestion that a dental school might consider the applicant's gender. "Live with it, people. Discrimination in any form is un-American," said a male orthodontist. "Dentistry should be embarrassed by this continued pattern of stupidity," offered another male dentist.
Some female dentists were shocked that anyone would even consider such an idea. "This is a ridiculous survey. These are ideas from the year 1800!" said one woman. "Perhaps the dental schools should have the female applicants sign a 'no children' contract. Are we in China?" another asked rhetorically.
On the other hand, some male dentists felt favoring male applicants would be perfectly reasonable. "Be realistic! The need for care has to be satisfied no matter what the uppity feminist ladies happen to believe," wrote one. "My professional lifespan is 8 times that of the average female dentist. It may not be PC, but it is true," offered another. This man was especially blunt: "I'm a dentist. Guys are better at it. Period."
Many see no difference between gender bias and racial discrimination. "It's no different than, for example, a restaurant making a black man wait for a table, while a white businessman gets better service, simply because one group may statistically give higher tips than the other. Do such rules not apply to dental schools?" asked a male dentist.
Female dentists shared their tales of working hard to fight discrimination. "As a female dentist, I still have to deal with gender bias when it comes to associate job interviews. I am still asked to this day if I am married and do I have kids at an interview!" said one woman.
It is possible that dental schools prefer men because they donate more. "What a bunch of crap. It is surely more about the money for the dental schools; as in, how much they will get back in donations," said one male dentist. "As a female dental student in the 1970s, I was harassed and discriminated against regularly," a female dentist said. "Although I give money to my undergraduate college, I have never given to my dental school because of the way I was treated."
"Whew!" sighed Jim Du Molin, dental management consultant and founder of dental marketing resource The Wealthy Dentist. "People rarely talk about this issue, but it's a big one, particularly in dentistry. I hope talking about it openly can help ease this professional Battle of the Sexes!"
Visit http://www.thewealthydentist.com for more surveys in the areas of dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, edation dentistry, wisdom teeth, braces, and dentures. Jim Du Molin offers a free weekly newsletter and dental practice management advice.
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Studies have found that female dentists work less than their male colleagues (by about 4 hours per week). Women dentists, particularly those with small children, are more likely to work part-time. So, the argument goes, the average male dentist provides more total care to the public over the course of his career than the average female dentist.
Men and women had drastically different opinions on the matter of gender profiling. While 55% of male dentists felt that favoring male applicants was acceptable, only 12% of female dentists agreed.
Many dentists slammed part-timers. "The reality is we are entering a time of declining supply of dentists and increasing population. For every slot in a dental school that is occupied, we are going to need a reasonable output of care from that individual," said a male dentist. "I am so tired of seeing female dentists who don't want to work. Stop taking a spot in dental school. You have an obligation to the profession. If you only want to work part-time, be a hygienist!" complained a female dental office worker.
The issue is even more complicated at state schools. "Anyone accepting a position in a state school needs to make a mental commitment to practice for at least 15 years to justify taking up that admittance slot," opined a female periodontist. "The public should not subsidize a full-time education in a field with a developing shortage for a part time-provider," agreed a male dentist.
Many respondents were appalled by the suggestion that a dental school might consider the applicant's gender. "Live with it, people. Discrimination in any form is un-American," said a male orthodontist. "Dentistry should be embarrassed by this continued pattern of stupidity," offered another male dentist.
Some female dentists were shocked that anyone would even consider such an idea. "This is a ridiculous survey. These are ideas from the year 1800!" said one woman. "Perhaps the dental schools should have the female applicants sign a 'no children' contract. Are we in China?" another asked rhetorically.
On the other hand, some male dentists felt favoring male applicants would be perfectly reasonable. "Be realistic! The need for care has to be satisfied no matter what the uppity feminist ladies happen to believe," wrote one. "My professional lifespan is 8 times that of the average female dentist. It may not be PC, but it is true," offered another. This man was especially blunt: "I'm a dentist. Guys are better at it. Period."
Many see no difference between gender bias and racial discrimination. "It's no different than, for example, a restaurant making a black man wait for a table, while a white businessman gets better service, simply because one group may statistically give higher tips than the other. Do such rules not apply to dental schools?" asked a male dentist.
Female dentists shared their tales of working hard to fight discrimination. "As a female dentist, I still have to deal with gender bias when it comes to associate job interviews. I am still asked to this day if I am married and do I have kids at an interview!" said one woman.
It is possible that dental schools prefer men because they donate more. "What a bunch of crap. It is surely more about the money for the dental schools; as in, how much they will get back in donations," said one male dentist. "As a female dental student in the 1970s, I was harassed and discriminated against regularly," a female dentist said. "Although I give money to my undergraduate college, I have never given to my dental school because of the way I was treated."
"Whew!" sighed Jim Du Molin, dental management consultant and founder of dental marketing resource The Wealthy Dentist. "People rarely talk about this issue, but it's a big one, particularly in dentistry. I hope talking about it openly can help ease this professional Battle of the Sexes!"
Visit http://www.thewealthydentist.com for more surveys in the areas of dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, edation dentistry, wisdom teeth, braces, and dentures. Jim Du Molin offers a free weekly newsletter and dental practice management advice.
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Jim Du Molin
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http://www.thewealthydentist.com
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415-435-2818
http://www.thewealthydentist.com
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