The number of women dentists is increasing and this number is projected to continue to rise through 2020. According to the American Dental Association (ADA) the total number of women dentists has increased by over 40 percent since 2001. In fact the number of women entering the dental field has more than tripled in the last 20 years. One study projected that by the year 2020 over 30 percent of practicing dentists will be women.
This is in stark contrast to the past. In 1970 only 1 percent of the candidates entering dental schools were women. In 1993 11 percent of dentists were women, and in 2014 this number had grown to 27 percent. In a recent study which appeared in the Journal of Dental Education the authors state that in 1999 over 35 percent of the graduating class of dentists were women. This number rose to over 46 percent in 2009 and continues to grow each year.
The number of women clinical faculty members is also growing. In 2000 there were only 2 women deans and few associate and assistant deans who were women. In the 2009/2010 school year this number had increased to 111 deans and 72 associate and assistant deans who were women. The numbers indicate that not only are the number of women dentists increasing, but women holding leadership positions in dental education programs is on the increase as well.
What makes dentistry to attractive to women? It could be the work-life balance, the salary, and the growth of the field of dentistry as a whole. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the need for dentists will grow by 16 percent between now and the year 2022. US News and World Reports cites dentistry as one of their top professions for 2015. In this decade and the next the number of women dentists is expected to grow and this trend is expected to continue for quite some time.
Dr. Michelle S Mendoza practices dentistry at Lake Pointe Dental in Frisco, Texas. Dr. Mendoza has over 10 years of experience and her specialties include Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Pediatric, and Sedation Dentistry. Dr. Mendoza is a member of the American Dental Association, North Texas Dental Society, Texas Dental Association, and is a board member of the North Texas Hispanic Dental Association. She also offers her services through the Give Kids a Smile Program for children in need and is an active member of the program. Dr. Mendoza is an example of the high level of care and caring women bring to dentistry.
Call or contact Lake Pointe Dental today if you have any questions about dental care or our practice.
