National Trends in Gender Representation, Segregation, and Disparities in the Saudi Dental Workforce, 2016–2025

Abstract

Introduction and aims Despite the importance of gender equity for promoting fairness and informing workforce planning, key indicators of gender equity in the Saudi dental workforce remain underexplored. This study assessed gender representation in the Saudi dental workforce from 2016 to 2025, including gender segregation and disparities across specialties and professional ranks. Methods This study analysed Saudi Commission for Health Specialties registry data from 2016 to 2025. Vertical and horizontal gender segregation were assessed using the Local Disproportionality Index (LDI), based on the female representation within each professional rank and specialty relative to the overall female proportion in the workforce for each year. Gender disparities were examined for each year using proportional-odds ordinal logistic regression to assess the association between gender and professional rank, and weighted multinomial logistic regression to assess the association between gender and specialty registration. Models were adjusted for age group, nationality, and country of qualification. Results Based on LDI values, female dentists were relatively overrepresented in lower professional ranks and underrepresented in higher ranks. Compared with male dentists, female dentists had lower odds of being represented in a higher professional rank across all years, although the adjusted odds ratio increased from 0.48 (95% CI, 0.45-0.51) in 2016 to 0.67 (95% CI, 0.64-0.70) in 2025. Across specialties, female dentists were underrepresented in most specialties, particularly surgical specialties, but were overrepresented in a few nonclinical specialties and paediatric dentistry. Female representation increased over time across most specialties. These patterns were broadly consistent with adjusted weighted multinomial logistic regression. Conclusion The Saudi dental workforce exhibited persistent gender disparities over the past decade, including both horizontal and vertical gender segregation. Although these patterns appeared to become less pronounced over time, they still have important implications for workforce planning, service organisation, and access to dental care in Saudi Arabia.