PERCEPTION OF DENTAL INTERNS ON THE IMPACT OF THEIR GENDER DURING TRAINING PERIOD AND FUTURE DENTAL PRACTICE – CROSS SECTIONAL SURVEY IN DENTAL COLLEGES IN CHENNAI, INDIA

Abstract

The field of dentistry has always been dominated by males in the past century. In the recent days, this gender disparity is becoming an increasingly significant issue as it has affected men and women differently, in service providers and recipients’ aspect. With the increased entry of females in the field, it's consequence is yet to be understood globally. As interns are the future generation of dentists, it is necessary to understand their perception of the issue. This is a cross-sectional questionnaire based study was done in 8 dental colleges in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on students doing their Compulsory Rotatory Internship (CRI). After statistical analysis, it was found that the “narrowing” gender divide is yet to have its complete impact on the perception of people. There is absence of stigma on working on patients or working with doctors of other gender and there is a healthy trend in outlook towards the other gender.