Practice patterns of recent female dental graduates.

Current practice patterns of female dentists were recorded through a survey of 130 women who received their professional degrees between 1975 and 1981. Replies were received from 95 individuals, a 73% response rate. More than three quarters of the respondents are in private practice full- or part-time. Those in part-time practice most frequently combine that activity with another dental activity such as teaching or hospital service. Most respondents are in general practice, with 24% in various specialty fields. In general, practice patterns of women dentists approximate those of recent male graduates. Important elements that have an effect on individual female practitioners include not only the drive for professional achievement, but also personal factors such as societal attitudes toward professional women and the role of the female dentist as a wife and mother. Unresolved conflicts that exist in these areas require further attention and evaluation by the profession.