Career choice, plans and expectations of male and female students in dental science

A survey undertaken in May‐June 1981 identified the social and educational background of 212 students in dental science at the University of Melbourne, the factors that influenced their choice of dental science, and their career plans and expectations. The focus was on sex differences, since women now constitute 24 per cent of students in dental science. The major differences were in terms of subjects completed at the Higher School Certificate examinations, reasons for entering dental science, expectations about career interruptions, preferred specializations within dentistry, and the participation of women in dentistry.