Gender equity awareness among dentists and students of academic institutions – Knowledge, attitude, and perception study

Objectives Gender equity has been a long-debated topic pertaining to the growth and development of the society. In the field of dentistry and dental education, achieving gender equity is pivotal for fostering a balanced and inclusive environment that maximizes the potential of all practitioners. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception toward gender equity among dental students and faculty members. Material and Methods This questionnaire study was conducted for 1 month among 375 faculties and students of various dental colleges in and around Chennai. The questionnaire was formulated and administered electronically through Google Forms. The survey link was shared through various social media platforms, and the responses obtained were then statistically analyzed. The categorical data were analyzed using the χ 2 test and P ≤ 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results Out of the 375 members to whom the questionnaire was distributed, it was found through statistical analysis that 71% were unaware of institutional policies related to gender equity in their workplace, and the majority were unaware of the presence of a gender sensitization committee. It has also been noticed that a greater percentage of women (14.5%) are familiar with gender bias in dental education and practice. However, on the bright side, significant results of ( P < 0.4) reveal that the majority believe that gender equity has been achieved in dentistry. Conclusion No significant relationship exists between the sex of an individual and their awareness and understanding of gender equity, but there were a greater number of responses collected from females. This study concludes that although there are more females in this field, gender disparities still exist, and also there is a potential gap in knowledge about gender equity among dental professionals of all genders regarding institutional policies in the workplace for which awareness and training have to be done in the future.