Gender disparity in the authorship of orthodontic papers and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: A ten-year bibliometric study.

BACKGROUND

Women remain underrepresented in the academic world. This study aimed to compare the numbers of female and male authors in high-impact orthodontic journals during the pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic periods.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A total of 7902 papers published in eight orthodontic journals (American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Angle Orthodontist, European Journal of Orthodontics, Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics, Journal of the World Federation of Orthodontists, Korean Journal of Orthodontics, Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research, and Progress in Orthodontics) were screened. They were divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1): Pre-pandemic (2015-2019) and Group 2 (G2): Post-pandemic (2020-2024). The data were collected manually, including the journal, type of study, gender, and authorship position. Descriptive statistical analyses were used. The sex of the authors before and after the pandemic was compared using the chi-square test. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the total number of authors and the total number of male and female authors.

RESULTS

5494 papers were evaluated and included in the study. There was no significant difference in gender distribution in single-authored papers. After the pandemic, there was a significant increase in women in first and last author positions. The total number of authors and proportion of female authorship in intermediate positions increased significantly post-pandemic. The European Journal of Orthodontics was the only journal that had more female first authors than males in the post-pandemic period.

CONCLUSION

The pandemic has not negatively affected female participation in orthodontic publications. There was a significant increase in female authorship after 2020, indicating a gradual reduction in gender disparities in this field.