Has Brazilian Pediatric Dentistry broken the glass ceiling in women’s participation in academic science?

Abstract

Objective: To investigate gender-based disparities in academic performance among leading researchers in Brazilian Pediatric Dentistry, a field where female representation is high but leadership and recognition may remain unequal. Methods: Using a bibliometric approach, we analyzed data from 29 research productivity grant holders listed by Brazil’s National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Researcher profiles, scientific output, and student supervision data were extracted from publicly available Lattes CVs between October and November 2024. Metrics were evaluated across the researchers’ entire careers and for the recent five-year period (2019–2024). Results: Women comprised 62.1% of the sample and authored 61.3% of all publications in the period studied. However, men had significantly higher average citation counts for their most cited publications (p = 0.021 in Scopus; p = 0.029 in Web of Science), as well as higher h-index and m-index values. Men were also more likely to supervise PhD students, while women were more active in mentoring undergraduate and master’s students. Conclusion: Despite the numerical majority of women, the data suggest that gender disparities may still exist in academic impact and research visibility. These findings highlight the need for policies that not only promote women’s participation in science but also ensure equitable recognition and advancement in academic dentistry.

KEYWORDS

Brazilian research; Gender equity; Pediatric dentistry; Scientific production; Women.