First National Survey on Leadership-Related Attitudes and Values Among Dentists

Objectives: Research into leadership-related attitudes in Dentistry is still in its infancy. However, to address new and existing challenges it is critical that we gain a greater appreciation of how the profession views leadership and identify barriers which limit the ability of dental practitioners to be effective advocates for their patients and the profession. The objectives of this study were to explore the leadership-related attitudes and values of male and female ADA members in the U.S. and inquire which characteristics and behaviors they believe constitute leadership in the profession.

Methods: Survey data were collected from 135 female and 458 male dentists who were members of the ADA. . 

Results: Surprisingly, responders defined leadership more frequently in terms of actions within one’s practice and community rather than the stereotyped-leadership involvement within professional organizations and politics.

When male and female dentists were compared in their leadership-related attitudes, values and educational experiences, the data showed that women were more positive towards taking a leadership role in organized dentistry and in supporting community-based efforts through volunteering and organizing community events compared to men. They also placed higher value on taking on a leadership role in their community, state and on a national level and rated the importance of taking a leadership role in their own practice as higher. Women also felt better prepared by their pre-doctoral dental education for leadership roles than male practitioners.

Conclusions: Given the change in the percentage of female practitioners in dentistry, the question arises how this change affects the culture of this profession. These data may help shape the future of dental education to be more closely aligned with the leadership topics deemed of greatest value by practicing dentists.