[Feminisation: does it make a difference?]

In a digital orientating survey of gender differences among 156 male and 98 female dentists in the Netherlands, many similarities were found between the two groups. Men and women generally report that they are in good health, experience comparable levels of burnout (about 10%) and are equally satisfied with their choice of profession. To a large extent, they perceive the same aspects of their work as attractive, with 'patient care' as by far the most attractive feature. According to the dentists as well as 122 assistants and dental hygienists (who were also questioned in this survey), they have comparable leadership styles, while the dentists, on average, rate their leadership behaviour more highly than the assistants and dental hygienists do. In addition, a limited number of significant gender differences were found in the sample. Women feel less competent in conducting complex interventions than men, and they find surgical interventions and complex restorative treatments less attractive aspects of their work. Women consult colleagues more often and their preference for working in a team is greater.