A gender imbalance continues to define the working world, especially in positions of authority. The Global Gender Gap Index has highlighted inequalities for 20 years – in 2025 it reported a +0.3% gain in closing the global gender gap from the previous year. More specifically, the UK placed fourth for biggest percentage change; a reflection on the British commitment to equality.[i]
In dentistry, the gender gap has undoubtedly narrowed yet differences remain stark. For the implantology pathway, there are few studies on the inequalities facing individuals, particularly women. However, by assessing the history of the profession and the literature sourced from other countries, the gender gap can be highlighted, raising awareness and signifying the next steps needed to help close it.
Historical changes
Diversity is a hallmark of progress for any industry. In 1870, 0.3% of US dental graduates were women. In 1897, The Los Angeles Herald stated that the woman dentist was a startling innovation, and the admission of such students into dental schools was a dangerous precedent.[ii] Over a century later and the discourse has changed; in the UK, 78% of all dental professionals identify as female, including 53% of dentists.[iii]
Despite accounting for over half of the dental workforce, women are still often underrepresented within higher ranking academic and leadership positions. There are two possible explanations of this. First, the lack of women on editorial boards reflects poorly on the resumes of women researchers – this then leads to additional barriers in seeking successful funding and promotions.[iv] A lack of funding means fewer publications, perpetuating the cycle and preventing growth. Second – age. Between 2013-2021, 71% of female dentists were under the age of 44, compared to 55% of male dentists.[v] As age and leadership positions often go hand in hand, it is a fair assumption that in the years to come there will be a greater number of women in higher ranking positions.
Self-belief battles
There are many challenges that female dentists may face in their career. One is imposter syndrome – a study on dental undergraduates found that female gender was the sole significant predictor of intense imposter syndrome.[vi] A psychological pattern where individuals feel fraudulent, the syndrome can lead to women doubting themselves. However, feeling this way can also be a good thing: being self-critical and having the perspective to look at yourself and wanting to be better is a powerful motivator. A lack of female role models has often plagued dentistry, but recent years have seen improvements. This can reduce imposter syndrome – once you have seen others succeed, it makes it easier to believe that you should too.
Alongside the psychological barriers are the physical ones. Dentists who become mothers may find a greater burden of responsibility for parenting compared to male counterparts.[vii] Those returning from maternity leave may find adjusting to work exhausting, leading to a higher number of dentists doing part-time hours and earning less. The disparity in pay can sometimes be connected to nervous patients too. As patients view female dentists as more nurturing, comforting and articulate, nervous patients may prefer them to ease their anxieties.[viii] Whilst affording the patient an easier and friendlier experience, the chair time might last twice as long as a regular patient.
In other cases, women may pause or even abandon their careers at an advanced stage to focus on family care, either for children or for ageing parents.[ix] Finding the balance between home and work can be a challenge, but with the right support, mentors and role models, these can be overcome.
Bridging the gap with implants
Implantology can be a rewarding solution to supporting the work-life balance. Dental implantologists can work fewer hours without reducing their financial income.[x] Research has found that women achieve a higher level of training in oral implantology than men, mostly through master’s degrees.[xi] This shift continues to open the pathway to more and more women, allowing them to achieve in both their professional and personal lives.
The Association of Dental Implantology (ADI) is a nationwide network of like-minded clinicians, united by a shared interest in implantology. No matter what stage of your career you are at regarding implants, an ADI membership can guide and support your journey. Educational opportunities such as the ADI Study Clubs, held across the UK, ensure that clinicians aren’t just informed – they are connected. Women are strongly encouraged to get involved with the ADI at Board and Committee level to help ensure that gender imbalances across the profession are addressed. Enhance your knowledge and skills with an ADI membership today.
Solve today for an easier tomorrow
There is no comprehensive UK assessment of gender imbalance in implantology. However, there are definite signs of inequality across the profession at large, many of which are overlooked or ignored. By raising awareness on the gender imbalance, dental professionals can eliminate challenges and better prepare the future for the next generation.
Author: Dr Pynadath George, GDC-registered Specialist Oral Surgeon and President of the ADI (Association of Dental Implantology)
For more information about the ADI, visit www.adi.org.uk
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[i] World Economic Forum. (2025). Gender Gap Report 2025. [online] Available at: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2025/in-full/benchmarking-gender-gaps-2025/.
[ii] Tiwari, T., Randall, C.L., Cohen, L., Holtzmann, J., Webster-Cyriaque, J., Ajiboye, S., Schou, L., Wandera, M., Ikeda, K., Fidela de Lima Navarro, M., Feres, M., Abdellatif, H., Al-Madi, E., Tubert-Jeannin, S., Fox, C.H., Ioannidou, E. and D’Souza, R.N. (2019). Gender Inequalities in the Dental Workforce: Global Perspectives. Advances in Dental Research, 30(3), pp.60–68. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034519877398.
[iii] Gdc-uk.org. (2024). GDC reports increase in registered dental professionals. [online] Available at: https://www.gdc-uk.org/news-blogs/news/detail/2025/04/24/gdc-reports-increase-in-registered-dental-professionals [Accessed 25 Nov. 2025].
[iv] Tiwari, T., Randall, C.L., Cohen, L., Holtzmann, J., Webster-Cyriaque, J., Ajiboye, S., Schou, L., Wandera, M., Ikeda, K., Fidela de Lima Navarro, M., Feres, M., Abdellatif, H., Al-Madi, E., Tubert-Jeannin, S., Fox, C.H., Ioannidou, E. and D’Souza, R.N. (2019). Gender Inequalities in the Dental Workforce: Global Perspectives. Advances in Dental Research, 30(3), pp.60–68. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0022034519877398.
[v] Close, Z. (2024). Women in dentistry – still not quite equal – Dentistry. [online] Dentistry.co.uk. Available at: https://dentistry.co.uk/2024/09/30/women-in-dentistry-still-not-quite-equal/.
[vi] Holliday, A.M., Gheihman, G., Cooper, C., Sullivan, A., Ohyama, H., Leaf, D.E. and Leaf, R.K. (2019). High Prevalence of Imposterism Among Female Harvard Medical and Dental Students. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(8), pp.2499–2501. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05441-5.
[vii] Salgado-Peralvo, A., Peña-Cardelles, J., Kewalramani, N., Jiménez-Guerra, A., Velasco-Ortega, E. and Monsalve-Guil, L. (2022). Gender differences among professionals dedicated to Oral Implantology in Spain: An observational study. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, pp.e153–e157. doi:https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.59263.
[viii] R. Prenetha and Jayashri Prabakar (2022). A cross-sectional hospital-based study on how patients perceive the dental care provided by male or female dentists. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology amp Research, [online] 13(Suppl 1), pp.S254–S258. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/japtr.japtr_198_22.
[ix] Salgado-Peralvo, A., Peña-Cardelles, J., Kewalramani, N., Jiménez-Guerra, A., Velasco-Ortega, E. and Monsalve-Guil, L. (2022). Gender differences among professionals dedicated to Oral Implantology in Spain: An observational study. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, pp.e153–e157. doi:https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.59263.
[x] McCauley, D.M. (2022). Implant dentistry – the answer to the work-life/mum-life balance? – Dentistry. [online] Dentistry.co.uk. Available at: https://dentistry.co.uk/2022/05/05/implant-insights-is-implant-dentistry-the-answer-to-the-work-life-mum-life-balance/ [Accessed 25 Nov. 2025].
[xi] Salgado-Peralvo, A., Peña-Cardelles, J., Kewalramani, N., Jiménez-Guerra, A., Velasco-Ortega, E. and Monsalve-Guil, L. (2022). Gender differences among professionals dedicated to Oral Implantology in Spain: An observational study. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry, pp.e153–e157. doi:https://doi.org/10.4317/jced.59263.
