IDZ-Publikation: Role perceptions of female and male dentists in Germany with regard to their own practice of dentistry

Role perceptions of female and male dentists in Germany with regard to their own practice of dentistry

– Results of a nationwide survey -

IDZ-Information No. 1/10
Micheelis, W., Bergmann-Krauss, B., Reich, E.
Role perceptions of female and male dentists in Germany with regard to their own practice of dentistry – Results of a nationwide survey -

Abstract

The practice of dentistry is subject to continuous change by societal developments, progress in medicine and governmental interventions into the system of dental care. Accordingly questions and problems arising from an increasing economisation, scientification and patients’ emancipation are dominating current discussions in health politics. Seen from a perspective of sociology of professions it thus seemed evident to have the perceptions and the assessments of the dental profession themselves as subject matter of an empirical study. The present study is based on a questionnaire sent to a representative sample of practising dentists in Germany. The data material is presented according to the subjects “demography”, “epidemiology”, “medical culture” and “personal working conditions”.

The results of the study show clearly that female and male dentists prefer working in “Free Practice” to cope with the permanently increasing requirements of the dental profession. Gender differences become apparent only with regard to specific matters and they do not influence the professional role fundamentally: Practising dentists are an extremely homogeneous professional group committing themselves strongly to exercising their occupation in free practice. From a professional sociological point of view this can be explained by the specific structural characteristics of the exercise of dentistry: organized as an ambulant treatment system, in free practice and being provided as a personalized service for the patient. Accordingly the great majority of dentists are satisfied with their own working situation and they have flexible strategies to cope with the requirements: Continuing education, concentration on specific areas of work and new forms of cooperation play an important role in this context.

The authors of this study are: Dr. disc. pol. Wolfgang Micheelis/Institute of German Dentists (IDZ), Dipl.-Soz. Barbara Bergmann-Krauss/Agency for Quality in Dentistry (ZZQ) and Prof. Dr. med. dent. Elmar Reich/Biberach.