Despite the increasing representation of women in the global dental workforce, gender disparities persist in academic leadership and high-visibility roles. No comprehensive study has jointly evaluated the gender and geographic distribution of invited speakers at international oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) congresses. This retrospective observational study analyzed invited speakers at four major international OMS congresses between 2016 and 2026. Publicly available scientific programs were reviewed, and data on speaker gender and continental affiliation were recorded. Statistical associations were assessed using chi-square and linear-by-linear trend analyses. In total, 3534 invited speakers were identified, of whom 21.7% were women. Gender distribution varied significantly by year, organizing society, and continent (all p < 0.001). Although a modest but significant increase in female representation was observed over time (p = 0.031), North America accounted for the largest proportion of invited speakers (50.8%). Overall, invited-speaker representation remains substantially imbalanced across gender and geographic dimensions. Persistent disparities suggest underlying structural inequalities. Transparent speaker-selection processes, structured mentorship for early-career women, and routine monitoring of representation metrics may help improve equitable academic visibility and strengthen diversity in oral health leadership.
Tas et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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