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Tiwari T, Randall CL, Cohen L, Holtzmann J, Webster-Cyriaque J, Ajiboye S, Schou L, Wandera M, Ikeda K, Fidela de Lima Navarro M, Feres M, Abdellatif H, Al-Madi E, Tubert-Jeannin S, Fox CH, Ioannidou E, D'Souza RN. Gender Inequalities in the Dental Workforce: Global Perspectives. Adv Dent Res 2020; 30:60-68. [PMID: 31746651 DOI: 10.1177/0022034519877398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to investigate the growth of diversity and inclusion in global academic dental research with a focus on gender equality. A diverse range of research methodologies were used to conduct this review, including an extensive review of the literature, engagement of key informants in dental academic leadership positions around the world, and review of current data from a variety of national and international organizations. Results provide evidence of gender inequalities that currently persist in dental academics and research. Although the gender gap among graduating dental students in North America and the two most populous countries in Europe (the United Kingdom and France) has been narrowed, women make up 30% to 40% of registered dentists in countries throughout Europe, Oceania, Asia, and Africa. In academic dentistry around the globe, greater gender inequality was found to correlate with higher ranking academic and leadership positions in the United States, United Kingdom, several countries in European Union, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. Further disparities are noted in the dental research sector, where women make up 33% of dental researchers in the European Union, 35% in North America, 55% in Brazil, and 25% in Japan. Family and societal pressures, limited access to research funding, and lack of mentoring and leadership training opportunities are reported as also contributing to gender inequalities. To continue advancing gender equality in dental academia and research, efforts should be geared toward the collection and public dissemination of data on gender-specific distributions. Such evidence-driven information will guide the selection of future strategies and best practices for promoting gender equity in the dental workforce, which provides a major pipeline of researchers and scholars for the dental profession.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Tiwari
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - C L Randall
- School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - L Cohen
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - J Holtzmann
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - S Ajiboye
- International Association for Dental Research, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - L Schou
- National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - M Wandera
- Uganda Dental Association, Kampala, Uganda
| | - K Ikeda
- School of Dental Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - M Feres
- Guarulhos University, Guarulhos, Brazil
| | - H Abdellatif
- Princess Nourah bint AbdulRahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - E Al-Madi
- College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - C H Fox
- International Association for Dental Research, Alexandria, VA, USA
| | - E Ioannidou
- School of Dental Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - R N D'Souza
- University of Utah Health Sciences, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Ghotane SG, Challacombe SJ, Gallagher JE. Fortitude and resilience in service of the population: a case study of dental professionals striving for health in Sierra Leone. BDJ Open 2019; 5:7. [PMID: 31098298 PMCID: PMC6513870 DOI: 10.1038/s41405-019-0011-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sierra Leone (SL), with a population of over 7 million people, has a critical health workforce shortage. This research explores the views of key players on population oral health needs and demands, the challenges of oral and dental care delivery, and professional careers in dentistry, in order to inform future capacity building. MATERIALS AND METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of key players in dentistry and healthcare, both in-country and externally. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used in exploring views of key-players on the oral needs and demands of population, challenges in the delivery of oral and dental care, professional careers of dental professionals in SL, and future workforce capacity building based on a topic guide drawn from the available literature. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, anonymised and analysed using QSR NVivo 10 for data management and reported in accordance to the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. RESULTS Twenty-one informants, of whom 18 were male, 17 were in-country and 16 were dental professionals, participated in the research. Dental professionals reported clear consensus on a considerable level of unmet oral health needs, most notably dental caries and periodontal disease, together with life threatening oral conditions such as osteomyelitis, Ludwig's Angina and Burkitt's Lymphoma. Challenges associated with the delivery of dental care revolved around five themes: patients' predisposition for traditional remedies and urgent care; practical hindrances to the delivery of care; professional isolation and weak governance; and place with pressing local crises and lack of political will. An emerging typology of dental professionals included: demonstrating loyalty to their nation and family; exhibiting resilience in challenging circumstances; embracing opportunity most notably amongst expatriates; and striving to serve the needs of the population. There was support for innovative future capacity building developments. CONCLUSION This paper provides important insights to the delivery of dental care in a low-income country with significant oral health needs and multiple challenges in the delivery of dental care, whilst also providing a vision for developing, building and retaining future human resources for oral health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnil G. Ghotane
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, Centre for Host Microbiome Interactions, Denmark Hill Campus, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9RS UK
| | - Stephen J. Challacombe
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, Centre for Host Microbiome Interactions, Floor 22, Guys Tower, Guys Hospital, London, SE1 9RT UK
| | - Jennifer E. Gallagher
- Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, Centre for Host Microbiome Interactions, Denmark Hill Campus, Bessemer Road, London, SE5 9RS UK
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