A Woman Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon of India: Is She Satisfied with Her Career Choice?

Abstract

Just as other surgical fields, maxillofacial surgery also was considered a male-dominated field since long. In the recent past, though, we are witnessing change in this trend. Dentistry in general, and maxillofacial surgery in particular, is seeing a large number of women choosing it as their career option, more so in the last decade and a half. This study was conducted in order to understand issues affecting women maxillofacial surgeons in their career as an academician or a private practitioner. We wanted to analyze the factors leading to career satisfaction and estimate the current work scenario for women maxillofacial surgeons. Since the study is one of its first in the country, the conclusions are not definite. Further studies in the future are needed to understand various factors affecting position of women maxillofacial surgeons in academics, private practice, and residents and role of gender in career advancement and in pursuing leadership positions.