Abstract
We conducted this questionnaire survey (December, 2010) to clarify the working situations of female dentists at schools of dentistry, dental colleges, and graduate schools, and the availability and use of support systems for them. Responses from 28 schools were analyzed. The percentages (%) describe the rate of institutions using support systems "now (2010)" and "until now", while those answering "unknown" were excluded.
Paid full-time female dentists at schools of dentistry and dental colleges accounted for 17% of all dentists, and this figure significantly decreased with career progression: 28% of assistant professors, 15% of instructors, 7% of associate professors, and 2% of professors. The rate of utilizing the "maternal leave" system, available at all institutions, was more than 90%, and the users were mostly tenured during their leave (27 institutions). Although "reduced-hour working positions for childcare (full-time workers)" were provided for women (27 institutions), the rate of utilization remained low (24% now and 40% until now). A limited number of institutions had "on-site childcare facilities (11 institutions)"and "back-to-work support systems (2)", both of which were fully utilized. However, the rates remained low as a whole (28 and 4 now and 35 and 7% until now, respectively). A "system to provide substitutes for those on leave" was available at only a small number of institutions (7) and was scarcely used (7% now and 11% until now). No work-sharing system was available at any institution. Public institutions had better support systems of "on-site childcare" and "substitutes" than private ones. Women's career development requires the reform of social awareness as well as improvement in the social environment with more diversified working styles. It is essential to prepare a better environment to ease the burden on women, users of the systems, and the people around them.
