'What is history?' was the challenge issued by Gibbon, the great historian of the Roman Empire. 'Little more', he observed, 'than a register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of men'. In this lecture I will attempt to redress this inequality and demonstrate that the 'crimes, follies and misfortunes' of women also have a place in history and, at the same time, uncover the 'fair face of dentistry'. I intend to paint a wide canvas, and to relate events and achievements to the sociological changes of contemporary society.

Dentists, Women↗

PubMed1989

Getting back to dental practice.

The results from the survey 'The Provision of Dental Care by Women Dentists in England and Wales in 1985' indicated that the lack of a specific retraining course was a major barrier in preventing women who have left dental practice from returning to work. The need for a course also applied to men and women who have ceased to work because of ill-health.

Curriculum↗

PubMed1989

Taking time out: a study of women dentists who have experienced career breaks.

Data on the careers and work patterns of women dentists were established in 1975. Social and economic changes, as well as change within the profession, such as the fact that almost half the students entering dental schools are now female, pointed to the necessity of a further survey in 1985. Questionnaires were sent off to 4513 women dentists resident in England and Wales, with a resultant response of 76 per cent. Part of the questionnaire concentrated on the length of career breaks experienced by/taken by women dentists in order to determine whether there has been any change in the pattern of taking time out in dentistry over the decade. At the time of the survey, 388 women (12 per cent) were retired, in addition, just over half of the women who replied had experienced a break at some stage during their career. These breaks from practice are described and discussed.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1988