2016 Volume 32 Issue 3 Pages 173-183
Abstract In Japan today, it has become important to create a society in which women are fully empowered. The number of women dentists has been increasing, reaching 22.5% in 2014. Sometimes female workers have to change their working style in response to life events such as marriage, child birth, and raising children. There is little detailed research on the working status and awareness of career development among female dentists. We carried out a survey of 88 female trainee dentists by a questionnaire on career development at Nihon University School of Dentistry, Dental Hospital. The survey showed that 81% of the respondents wish to continue working as a dentist, even if they have temporary breaks related to life events. The female trainees also considered that dentistry is a suitable occupation for them. Sixty-six respondents considered that the greatest barrier to working as a dentist is achieving a proper balance between work and childcare. 16% of the respondents requested maternity leave, and 82% of the respondents requested childcare leave or wanted to concentrate on raising their child for several years. Only 8% of the respondents wished to keep working full-time for all of their life. On the other hand, 92% of the respondents preferred part-time work when taking care of children. It is necessary to provide female trainee dentists at our hospital with the opportunity to come into contact with role models for career development. After postgraduate clinical training, it is essential to create a working environment at the hospital for further education and outplacement services for female dentists after taking temporary breaks to balance their career development and family life.
